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THE

HISTORICAL

COLLECTIOKS

OF THE

TOPSFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

VOL. V.

1899.

TOPSFIELD, MASS. :
Published by the Society.
1899.

JUDGE DAVID CUMMINS.

THE

HISTORICAL

COLLECTIONS

OF THE

TOPSFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

VOL. V.

1899.

TOPSFIELD, MASS.;
Published by the Society.
1899.

GEORGE FRANCIS DOW,
Editor.

THE MERRILL PRESS,

MASS.

CONTENTS.

JUDGE DAVID CUMMINS, - - - * Frontispiece

ISAAC CUMMINGS OF TOPSFIELD, MASS., AND SOME
OF HIS DESCENDANTS. BY MISS MARIETTA CLARK
MRS. ABBIE W. TOWNE, W. F. CUMMINGS AND
GEORGE FRANCIS DOW, Illustrated, - - - I

DUDLEY BRADSTREET REAL ESTATE FOR SALE, 1 83 5 40

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685- 1 706. COPIED BY

SIDNEY PERLEY, - - - - - - 4 1

ISAAC ESTY, OF TOPSFIELD, AND SOME OF HIS DE-
SCENDANTS. BY GAY ESTY BANGS, - - - IO5

SOUTH SIDE CEMETERY INSCRIPTIONS. COPIED BY

GEORGE WARREN TOWNE, - - - - II/

PETITION FROM DAN CLARKE, 1 75 8, - - - 126

CAPT. NEHEMIAH HERRICK’S REVOLUTIONARY SER-
VICE, WITH HISTORICAL NOTES, - - - 1 27

CUMMINGS BURYING GROUND INSCRIPTIONS. COPIED

BY GEORGE CLINTON DONALDSON, - - - 131

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD, 1801-

1804. COPIED BY GEORGE FRANCIS DOW, - 1 32

COURT RECORDS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD, 1642-

1657. COPIED BY GEORGE FRANCIS DOW, - 143

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in 2015

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ISAAC CUMMINGS, OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.,
AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.

Arranged From Data Collected by Miss Marietta Clark,
Mrs. Abbie W. Towne, W. F. Cummings, and
George Francis Dow.

The first mention in Essex County records of Isaac Cum-
mings,* is an entry made by the town clerk, at Ipswich,
showing that he owned a planting lot near Reedy marsh, in
that town, previous to July 25, 1638. On the 9th of the 2nd
month, 1639, he also owned a house lot in Ipswich village,
on the street called the East End, next the lot owned by
Rev. Nathaniel Rogers. He was a commoner in 1639, and
the same year sold land near the highway leading to Jeffrey’s
Neck. He also possessed, in 1639, land adjoining John
Winthrop and William Goodhue, the farm being partly in
Ipswich and partly in Topsfield. He was made a freeman.
May 18, 1642, and was a proprietor in Watertown the same
year. As an Ipswich commoner he was one of those “that
have right of commonage there the last of the last month,
1641.”

On the first day of the second month, 1652, Isaac Cum-
mings, for .^30, bought of Samuel Symonds, 150 acres of
land, “being the North-east corner of his farm called Olli-
vers.” This lot of land was in Topsfield and bounded on the

*Isaac Cummings, according to tradition, was of Scottish ancestry,
claiming descent from the “Red Cummin,” of Badenoch, in the soutli-
eastern district of Inverness-shire, a wild, mountainous country, present-
ing wide stretches of bleak moorland. Here the clan flourished from
1080 to 1330, and then began to decline. Some deduce their origin from
Normandy and others from Northumberland. According to the Chroni-
cle of Melrose, the first of the name, who figures prominently, was slain

(I)

ISAAC CUM^^IINGS, OF TOrSFIELI), MASS.,

west and north-west by land lately of John Winthrop, on the
south and west by land of Francis Peabody, and on the south
by land of Daniel Clarke.

This farm began at what is now known as the Hobbs-Bcll
place, and continued down both sides of the brook, then
called “Winthropps,” to what is now called Hewlett’s brook,
one hundred acres lying on the westerly side, and fifty acres
on the easterly side, probably joining other land belonging
to him.

The county court records have the following items : Good-
man Isaac Cummings, of Topsfield, having claimed owner-
ship of a heifer in the possession of John P'uller and driven
the same to his home, suit was brought by said haulier.
March 28, 1654.

Isaac Comings, sen*'., was witness against Wm. Duglas, of
Ipswich, who was presented “for taking of iplb of Shor-
borne Wilson, his late servant, for 9 mo. time, which we think
tends to opresion.” March, 1656.

Isaac Commins, sen'., was sued for debt by Zerobabell
Phillips, of Ipswich. March, 1657.

Isaac Cummings, sen'"., brought suit against John Fuller for
damage done in his corn by swine belonging to said Fuller.
Dec. 31, 1656.

In 1659 Isaac Comins, senk, made deposition that Zacheus
Gould, of Topsfield, “in time of singing y® psalm one sabbath
day in y® afternoon, sate him downe upon y® end of y® Table
(about w''' y® Minister & Cheife of y® people sit) w”^ his hatt

with Malcom III, at Alnwick, in 1093, leaving two sons, John and Will-
iam. From John, all Uie Cumins in Scotland are said to be descended.
Sir John, the Red Cumin or Comyn, was the first Lord of Badenoch, and
in 1240 was an ambassador from Alexander II, to Louis IX, of France.
His son John, called the Black Lord of Badenoch, was inferior to no sub-
ject in Scotland for wealth and power, and was one of those who vowed
to support Queen Margaret, daughter of Alexander III, in her title to
the crown. At her death he became a competitor for the crown of Scot-
land, “as the son and heir of John, who was son of Richard, son of Will-
iam, son of Hextilda, daughter and heiress of Gothrick, son and heir of
Donald, King of Scotland.” The son of this Lord, called, in turn, the
Red Cumin, was the last Lord of Badenoch of the surname of Cumin.
In 1335 a number of the Cumin clan were slain in the feudal battle of
Culbleau, in Glennwick, where a stone now marks the spot. The badge
of the clan, in Gaelic, was “Lus Mhic Cuiminn,” in English — the cum-
min plant.

AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.

fully on his head, & his back toward all y® rest of y“ y^ sate
about y® Table, & thence spoken to by y® Minister & 2 others,
ether to showe reverence to y® Ordinance, or to w^’klrawe,
yet altered not his posture.”

Isaac Cummings was chosen grandjuryman in 1675 and
was moderator of the Town Meeting in 1676. He was dea-
con of the church in Topsfield for many years. According
to a deposition made Mar., 1666, wherein he gave his age as
65, he probably was born in 1600 or 1601. Of his wife
nothing is known save that she died before 1677. He died
between the dates of May 8 and 22 in the year 1677.

The Last will and testament of Isaac Comins Senier. I
being sencabl of my aproaching desolution being att pres-
ent weak in body yet perfect in my vnderstanding haueing
by the grace of god bene helped to provid for my future
state in another world : doe now in ordering of what god hath
been pleased to bestow vpon me of the blessings of this life,
take Care and order that in the first place my debts be duly
payd : nextly I doe by this my last will and testament confirme
to my son Ifaac the ten Acres of division Land on the south side
of the great river be more or less : nextly I do giue vnto my
son in law John Jewet ten pounds part in Cattel and part in
houshovld goods : nextly I do will and bequeath to my
grandson Isaac the son of my son Isaac one year old heifer
on little sow the Indian come which he hath planted for
himself and the flax which he hath sowne, item I doe giue
vnto him my chest the 2^ in bignes with the lock and
key : item my history book with such books as are his owne :
i e. a bibl and testament, item I do giue him ten pounds to be
payd at seuenteen years of age in Covntry pay — item I doe
giue vnto my son in Law John pease thirty povnds to be pay
out of the stock of Cattel and hovshovld goods as much as
maybe att present and the rest in two years — item I doe make
my son John my sole executor and doe giue vnto him my
house and lands being fovrty Acres more or less Consisting of
vpland and meddow — with all the priviledges emmolvments
therof and apvrtainces thervnto belonging : provided that this
land shall stand bovnd in part and in wholl for the payment
of these leagacyes and in case that the said legacyes shal not
be payd according to this my will : the land shall be sovld and

ISAAC CUMMINGS, OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.,

payment made out of the price thereof : and the remainder
shall be the executors : item my will fvrther is that if any of
these my children shall throvgh discontent att what is done
for them in this my will : Cause trovbl to arise to the execu-
tor then there shall be nothing payd to him or them but the
legacy or legacyes willed to them shall return too and remain
in the hands of the executor as his proper right. dated the
of the 3^^ m^^' 1677.

My desir farther is that Isaac ffoster and Thomas Dorman
would take Care that this my will be duly performed.

Isaac Cumings S'".

Witneses the Mark { of John poore S'"

Thomas Dorman
Isaac ffoster.

Probated June 14, 1677.

The Inuentory of all the Goods & Chattls of Isake Com-
ings senior Late of Topsfeild deceased tacken and apprised
by us whos names ar under writen this 22 maye 1677.

a Cloth Sute 40 :
a Grey Sute 35

6 yards of cloth with butons silk & thread as
they cost at the marchants
an old Grat Coat 9® : wascot 6®
a payer of Gren brehis & two payer of drawers

3 payer of shoos i®: 5 payer of stokins 8®

4 shirts 10®: 7 Caps 7®: one slke Cape 4®

10 bandes 10®: 7 handcovehrs 3®

4 hates 8® : a cloth hood & Startups i :6^
a fether beed & bolser & pillow
a nu Couerlit 24®: an old couerlit 5®

Curtins & valants, beedsted cord & matt
a smale beed with a pilow & a Rugge
one payer of sheetes 30® & other payer 16:
one payer of sheets 18® one sheet 7®

3 pilow bers 6® : 3 napkins 3* 6^

2 table cloths 5® 6"^ 7 toweles 5® 6*^

2:00:0

1:15:0

I :i9.-3

0:15:0
0:09 :o
o :o9 :o
I :oi :o
0:13 :o
0:09:6
4:00:0
I :o9 :o
1:10:0
1:15:6
2 :o6 :o
I :o5 :o
0:09:6
0:11:0

AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.

it two sacks and willit one bage o:io:o

it 3 Small Remnants of cloth 0:02:6

it flax and tow o:o6:o

it 6 pound of cotton woole 0:06:0

it a broad howe 2® one broad how 3® 6^^ 0:05 :6

it an iron foot i® 6^: 3 haye forks 4®:6‘* o:o6:0

it an iron spitt 3® & ades 5® a hand sawe 2® 6^^ 0:10:6

it axe 3® 6^^ : & old spad 3® : botle & 4 wedgis 6® 0:12:6

it a mare 40®: a yearling Colt i 5® : a sadle & a

panel with a bridle & gurte & crooper 20® 3:15:0

it a brafs pott 20® one iron pott 9® two payer

of potthooks I : 12 :o

it an old ketle 6® : 3® 6^^ a bras candlstik 4® potlid i® 0:14:6

it in pewter 18® tine 9^: one glac i®: 5 spons 2® i :oi :g

it earthn ware 6® 8^^ : tramell tongs Beilis 12® 0:18:8

it hamer pinchers 5®: fann 3® chern 5® 0:13:0

it a nu powdering tub 3® 6^^: 4 paiels 7® 8^^ 0:11:2

it 2 Kelors 4® : old powdring tub I® two old barels 2® 0:07:0

it half bushel : a peck : halfe peck 0:03:6

it 4 trayes 4® 4 bouls 4® dishes & ladle i* 8^^ 0:09:8

it one duz trenchers i® two barels 5® 0:06:0

it 3 siues 3® 3 chayers 7® A litle table & form 4® 0:14:0

it a desk 6® one chest 1 1® 6*^ two old chests 4® 1:01:6

it 3 books 10® a chest 5® two books 10® i :05 :o

it Corn 10® malt 6® 0:16:0

it baker 3® kneding trof 2® 0:05 :o

it A worming Pann friing pann 0:10:0

it eight swine 5:00:0

it 3 cowes 12C one 2 yer old ster, one yerling 16:06:0

it bowsing and Lands with all prueledges &
apurtenceses : upland & meado is abought
40 accers 100:00:0

it depts due to the eftat 004:00:0

John Whipple
John How

125

166 :oi :6

depts due from the est at aboute

9:16:5

ISAAC CUMMINGS, OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.,

John Comings testified vpon oath before the worshipfull
Samuell Symonds Esqr Dep ; Govh & maior Gen‘11 Esq‘‘ &
the clarke being present the 14**^ of June 1677 and testified
vpon oath this to be a true Inventory of the estate of his late
ffather deceased to the best of his knowledge & if more
appeare to ad the same

As attest. Robert Lord Cler.

Children :

2. i. John, b. 1630. See below (2).

3. ii. Isaac, b. 1633. See below (j).

iii. Elizabeth, b. ; m. May i, 1661, John Jewett

of Rowley. By deed dated Eeb. 28, i66i-2,Isaac
Cummings conveyed a farm of 40 ac. to John Jew-
ett of Rowley “for and in consideration of marriage
with my daughter Elizabeth.” She d. in Ipswich,
July 9, 1679, and he m. 2nd Elizabeth, widow of
Benjamin Chadwell of Lynn.

iv. Ann, b. ; m. Oct. 8, 1669, John Pease of Sa-

lem, it being his second marriage. They removed
to Enfield, Conn., in 1681. Children: James, b.
Oct. 23, 1670; Isaac, b. July 15,1672; Abigail b.
Oct. 15, 1675.

John Cummings^ born in 1630; married Sarah, daugh-
ter of Ensigne Thomas Howlett. He received, by his fa-
ther’s will, the homestead, consisting of 40 acres with hous-
es, barns, orchards and fences, and in 1680 sold the same to
Edward Nealand (Kneeland). This farm was bounded by
land of the above Nealand, and by Tobijah Perkins and the
Ipswich common land. About 1658 he removed to Boxford.
Both he and his wife were members of the church in Tops-
field. Dec. 7, 1685 : “voted dismission to John Cummings
without commendation and dismissed his wife with commen-
dation to the church to be shortly gathered at Dunstable,” —
Topsfield Chureh reeords. He removed with his family to
Dunstable, Mass., about 1680, where he was one of the first

AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.

settlers. He was a selectman in 1682 and a member of the
church in 1684. He died Dec. i, 1700, his wife having died
Dec. 7, 1688.

Children :

4. i. John, b. . See below (4).

5. ii. Thomas, b. Oct. 6, 1658. See below (^).

6. iii. Nathaniel, b. Sept. 10, 1659. See below (6).

iv. Sarah, b. Jan. 28, 1661-2 ; m. Dec. 24, 1682, Samuel
French, son of Lieut. William French.

7. V. Abraham, b. . See below ('/).

vi. Isaac, 1 Killed by Indians at Dunstable, Nov. 2,

vii. Ebenezer,J 1688. “Remained unburied several days.”

viii. William, b. Aug. 5, 1671 ; d. Mar. 30, 1672(3?).

ix. Eleizer, b. Aug. 5, 1671.

X. Benjamin, b. Feb. 23, 1672-3.

xi. Samuel, b. Dec. 28, 1677.

Isaac Cummings^ born in 1633; married Nov. 27, 1659,
Mary Andrews, daughter of Robert Andrews. He received,
in 1663, by deed from his father, a farm of 100 acres lying
on both sides of Winthrop’s brook, being a part of the orig-
inal purchase of Samuel Symonds. He built his house near
or on the site of the Hobbs-Bell house. He was elected
deacon of the church June 13, 1686, and was an influential
man in the town, his name frequently appearing upon the
records. He is styled “Sergeant” in the list of those who
took the oath of allegiance in 1678. He also served as
selectman, treasurer, constable and tithingman. He was
made a freeman in 1673, and in 1675 was impressed for the
Narraganset expedition. In his will dated in 1712 and pro-
bated June 19, 1721, he gives his son Isaac .^30, and land
in Boxford ; to son John, land on the south side of the river
“where he now dwells,” and also “my homestead house and
land * in Consideration of what he hath Done Towards
mine & my Wives Support while my wife Lived, & upon
Consideration yt he maintaines mee honorably During my
Naturall Life.” Thomas, the other son, “for whom I have
Done Considerably already in helping him purchase land,”

ISAAC CUMMINGS, OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.,

received “my English Dictionary.” He died in 1721, his
wife having died before 1712.

Children :

i. A son b. and d. Aug. 28, 1660.

ii. A son b. and d. Nov. 2, 1661.

iii. A son b. and d. Dec. 6, 1662.

8. iv. Isaac, b. Sept. 15, 1664. See below (8).

9. V. John, b. June 7, 1666. See below (g).

10. vi. Thomas, b. June 27, 1670. See below (10).

vii. Mary, b. Feb. 16, 1671-2; m. July 14, 169-, Dan-

iel Black, jr., of Boxford. She d. Dec. 16, 169-.

viii. Rebecca, b. April i, 1674; m. Jan. 13, 1695-6,

Thomas Howlett. He d. Feb. 10, 1713 ; and Dec.
20, 1715, she m. 2nd, Michael Whidden, of Ports-
mouth, N. H.

ix. Abigail, b. ; m. Mar. 28, 1693-4, Samuel

Perley, son of Samuel Perley. She d. Jan. 22,
1725-6.

X. Steben, b. P"eb. 27, 1680-1. “Dyed by the hands
of the Indians on the third Day of July, 1706.”

John Cummings'^, born in Boxford, and lived in Dunstable ;
married. Sept. 13, 1680, Elizabeth Kinsley, who “was killed
by the Indians, July 3, 1706.” Belknap I, 173.

Children: John, b. July 7, 1682; m. , 1705,

Elizabeth Adams, of Chelmsford ; Samuel, b. Oct. 6,
1684; Elizabeth, b. Jan. 5, 1687 ; Ebenezer, b. Sept.
17, 1695 5 Anna, b. Sept. 14, 1798 ; Lydia, b. Mar.
24, 1701, d. . 1701 ; William, b. April 24, 1702.

Thomas Cummings^, born in Boxford, Oct. 6, 1658 ; mar-
ried, Dec. 19, 1688, Priscilla Warner. Lived in Dunstable. He
died in 1723.

Children: Priscilla; Mary; Ann; Thomas; Jona-

than, b. July 3, 1703, 111. Elizabeth Blanchard ; Eph-
raim and Samuel.

THE CUMMINGS-HOBBS-BELL HOUSE.

AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.

Nathaniel CuMMINGS^ born in Boxford, Sept. lo, 1659;
married Abigail . Lived in Dunstable.

Children: John, b. Jan. 14, 1698, d. 1770; Nathaniel, b.

Sept. 8, 1699; Eliezer, b. Oct. 19, 1701 ; Joseph,
b. May 26, 1704.

Abraham CUMMINGS^ born in Boxford, removed with his
father to Dunstable about 1680, where he evidently was^liv-
ing in 1689, he being one of those who contributed to the
ministers’ “wood rate.” He married, Feb. 28, 1687, Sarah
Wright, of Woburn, where he lived for about ten years.

Children :

i. Abraham, b. Oct. 7, 1690, in Woburn.

11. ii. Joseph, b. Sept. 1 , 1692, in Woburn. See below ( J i).

iii. Sarah, b. Feb. 10, 1694, in Woburn.

iv. Jacob, b. Jan. 3, 1696, in Woburn.

V. JosiAH, b. July 12, 1698, in Dunstable.

vi. Eliezer, b. April 9, 1704, in Woburn.

Isaac Cummings^, born in Topsfield, Sept. 15, 1664; mar-
ried, 1st, Dec. 25, 1688, Alice Hewlett, daughter of Thomas
Hewlett; married, 2nd, Nov. 23, 1696, Frances Sherwin, of
Boxford. She d. Mar. 13, 1770. He received by deed from
his father in 1708, 57 acres of land in Boxford, but he prob-
ably never resided on the farm, as in 1712 he was living on
a farm deeded him by his wife’s grandfather, Thomas Hew-
lett. The farm was situated in the vicinity of the present
Alfred Cummings homestead, then situated in Ipswich.
There are supposed to have been no less than six different
houses upon this farm. The first one was situated very near
the river and it is said to have been destroyed by Indians.
In 1721 both he and his wife were dismissed from the church
in Topsfield to the church in Ipswich. He died Aug. 7, 1 746.

Children :

i. Lydia, bapt. May 4, 1690; pub. Oct. 5, 1723, Ste-
phen Smith, of Ipswich. Had four children.

12. ii. Isaac, bapt. April 24, 1692. See below (12). _ -

ISAAC CUMMINGS, OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.,

iii. Alice, b. Dec. lO, 1695; April 22, 1725,

Thomas Bixbee ; lived in Boxford and d. before
1736, leaving four children.

iv. Mercy, b. June 5, 1699, and d. Nov. 4, 1731, un-

married.

V. Jemima, b. July 4, 1704; m. Jan. i, 1733-4, Jona-
than Foster, of Ipswich, and d. before 1750.

vi. Pallatiah, b. May 15, 1707; d. Nov. 14, 1727.

vii. JERUSHA, b. Feb. 17, 1710; pub. Jan. i, 1735-6,

Joshua Conant, of Ipswich.

John Cummings^, born in Topsfield, June 7, 1666; mar-
ried, Jan. 23, 1688-9, Susannah, daughter of Joseph and
Phebe Towne. She died Sept. 13, 1766, ae. 96. He received
from his father by will dated May 8, 1722, 100 acres of land
now known as the Hobbs-Bell farm, and fifty acres of land
on the south side of the river “where my son John now
dwells.” As early as 1694 he began buying land on the
south side of the river, until he finally owned over 200 acres.
He was living in that part of the town as early as 1714, and
probably much earlier. He lived in the old house that stood,
until its destruction by fire in 1882, on what is now known as
the Peterson farm. He was tithingman, constable, and held
other minor town offices. He executed a will May 8, 1722,
which was proved July 16, 1722.

Children :

13. i. Joseph, bapt. Jan. 26, 1689-90. See below (ij).

14. ii. John, bapt. July 17, 1692. See below (14).
iii. Isaac, b. Dec. 25, 1695 5 before 1722k

15. iv. David, b. April 15, 1698. See below (15).

V. Mary, b. May 15, 1700; m. Jan. 24, 1722-3, Na-
thaniel Hutchinson, of Salem, and removed to
Sutton. She d. before 1732.

vi. Susannah, b. Jan. 3, 1701-2; m. Feb. 14, 1721-2,

John Whipple, of Salem.

vii. Steepens [Stephen], b. Aug. 3, 1706; m. Ruth,

daughter of John Giles, of Salem Village. Cooper.
Sold, in 1732, 52 acres of land and 2 barn which

1. This Isaac Cummings may have m. Jan. 5, 1 720-1, Hannah Eastie.

AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.

formerly was given to brother John by father’s
will, and removed to Sutton, Mass., where he m.
Betty Carriel. “Mr. Cummings was the first
, ‘teetotaler’ in town ; he could never drink any
kind of intoxicating drink ; yet his full tempera-
ment and florid complexion led strangers to think
that he might indulge.” — History of Sutton, Mass.
Dead before 1766. Was probably named for
his uncle, who was killed by Indians about the
time he was born.

i6.viii. Samuel, b. Feb. 14, 1708-9. See below (16).

ix. Rebeckah, bapt. Nov. I, 1713 ; m. Feb. 2, 1 730-1 ,
Thomas Perkins, and d. Aug. 13, 1734.

Isaac Cummings. “Lydia How her son Isaac Cummings
as She called him was Born on y® 4 day of december 1719.”
This boy’s paternity does not appear. His will made March
4, 1744-5, “Being Bound in his Majesties Service In y® Ex-
pedition Formed Against Cape Britton,” was brought to an
early probate, and another life tragedy and luckless pledge
of unwedded love was buried with hundreds of other brave
New Englanders, beneath the dark greensward on Point
Rochfort, near “the Dunkirk of America.” “No monument
marks the sacred spot, but the waves of the restless ocean,
in calm or storm, sing an everlasting requiem over the graves
of the departed heroes.” He remembered in his will sever-
al cousins, “the church of Christ in Topsfield,” and by a
codicil made at Louisburg, while “weak of body,” one,
Mary Marshall, who lived with her guardian in the old home
in Topsfield ; a sweetheart, who, with “the poor of Topsfield,”
shared the wage'due from the Province to the dying soldier.

Thomas Cummings^, born in Topsfield, June 27, 1670;
married. Mar. 20, 1 704-5, Mehitable, daughter of Joseph and
Ann (Hathorne) Porter, of Salem Village. She died May
9, 1738. He was of Boxford at time of marriage, and
was selectman of that town in 1713, 1721, 1728, 1731. By
will dated 1749 and proved Dec. 25, 1749, he bequeathed.

ISAAC CUMMINGS, OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.,

among other items, land lying in Lancaster, a dictionary
and a farrier’s book.

Children :

i. Samuel, b. April 3, 1706. Removed to Lunen-

burg, Mass., where he was in 1750k

ii. Meiiitable, b. Oct. 21, 1710; m. May 7, 1740,

Oliver Andrews, of Middleton.

17. iii. Jacob, b. Nov. 21, 1714. See below (17).

iv. Abigail, b. June 5, 1717; m. Nov. 16, 1743, John

Buswell, of Boxford.

1 1

Joseph CuMxMINGS'^, born Sept, i, 1692, in Woburn ; mar-
ried, 1st, Dec. I, 1714, Sarah, daughter of Isaac and Abigail
Easty. She was living in 1748. He m. 2nd, Nov. ii, 1751,
Priscilla Lamson. She died Aug. 19, 1780. At the age of
twelve, tradition says, he came to Topsfield to live with
Thomas Howlett, whose wife was Rebecca Cummings, and
by whom he was adopted. In 1715 he received by deed the
farm east of the Ipswich river, in “thick woods,” of recent
years known as the Smith farm. He d. April 22, 1794, se.
1 01. Cleaveland, in his Bi-centennial Address, says of him :
“With physical energies scarcely impaired, and with a ment-
al vigor not perceptively abated. Captain Cummings lived to
the age of one hundred and two. Even after he had com-
pleted his ‘orb’ of years he could mount his horse, unaided,
from the ground, and ride many miles. To the last his
memory was strong and exact — his judgement clear and
sound — his retorts equally quick and keen.”

“Died at Topsfield, on the 22d of April, Capt. Joseph
Cummings, in the I02d year of his age. He was born at
Woburn, Sept, i, 1692, O. S. At the age of 12 he came to
Topsfield, by the invitation of a relation, who gave him a
tract of wild land, on which he settled and lived about 80
years. In early life he made a public profession of religion ;
and, by a uniform piety, integrity, temperance, cheerfulness
and benevolence, he supported an amiable and unblemished
character. He was not favored with the advantages of edu-
cation ; but strong mental powers, an inquisitive turn of

I. Samuel Cummings, of Uxbridge, and Mrs. Sarah Emerson, of Ips-
wich, pub. Nov. 10, 1753.

AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.

mind, and a tenacious memory, had enabled him to acquire
and retain a good knowledge of the principal events and
public transactions of the last hundred years. Possessed of
a rich fund of interesting and entertaining anecdotes, he was
a living history of nearly a century.

Within his memory the people of his neighborhood were
in fear of the Indians, and he had himself stood centry at a
small fortress in the town. Employed from his youth in
cultivating a valuable farm, not with excessive labor, but
steady industry — living in a plentiful, but plain and simple
manner — and enjoying a uniform cheerfulness — the powers
of his body and mind continued in great vigor, to a very ad-
vanced age. When nearly an hundred, he would readily
mount his horse from the ground ; and his reason continued
to his last moments. Satisfied with living, and with little
appearance of any other disease than senility, he closed this
mortal scene, in the cheerful hope of a blessed immortality.
His descendents were 2 children, 23 grand-children, 116
great-grand-children, and 32 great-great-grand-children.
Total 173.” — Salem Gazette, May. ij, i^g^.

Children :

18. i. Thomas, bapt. July 15, 1716. See below (18).

ii. Sarah, b. Aug. 20, 1720; pub. Sept. 18, 1736,
Benjamin Lamson. Removed to Exeter, N. H.

(12)

Isaac Cummings*, bapt. April 24, 1692, in Topsfield;
married. Mar. 8, 1716-17, Abigail, daughter of Joseph and
Prudence (P'oster) Boardman. She died Oct. 5, 1771, “an
aged woman.” Lived in Ipswich. In 1744, before the mar-
riage of his son Joseph, he sold to him the westerly half of
his homestead, and in 1752 he sold the remaining half to his
son Pelatiah. Yeoman. He died Oct. 12, 1761.

Children:

i. Abigail, bapt. Aug. 2, 1719; m. July 12, 1738,
Samuel Potter, of Ipswich.

19. ii. Elisha, bapt. Aug. 2, 1719. See below (ip).

iii. Mary, bapt. Oct. 2, 1720 ; m. June 4, 1741, Eze-
kiel Potter, of Ipswich.

20. iv. Joseph, bapt. May — , 1722. See below (20).

ISAAC CUMMINGS, OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.,

V. Hannah, b. Jan. i6, 1724-5; pub. Sept. 30, 1750,
Robert Perkins. She d. July 22, 1802.

21. vi. Pelatiaii, bapt. Oct. 27, 1728. See below (21).

Joseph Cummings^, bapt. Jan. 26, 1689-90, in Topsfield ;
married, May 22, 1712, Abigail, daughter of Isaac and Abi-
gail (Kimball) Easty. By his father’s will he shared with
his brother John his grandfather’s homestead, the Hobbs-
Bell place. He died of small-pox Dec. 24, 1729, and seven-
teen days later his widow followed him, a victim of the same
dread disease. At the death of the parents the children
were placed under guardianship, and on coming of age, at
different times, sold their shares in the estate, so that the
homestead passed out of the family name.

Children :

22. i. Joseph, b. July 27, 1713. See below (22).

ii. Jacob, b. May 12, 1717; house-wright ; removed

to Sutton, Mass., about 1733 ; m. Jan. 21, 1744,
Mary Marble, and had 1 1 children. He d. Oct.
13, 1814.

iii. Abigail, b. Dec. 16, 1721.

23. iv. Daniel, b. Dec. 4, 1724. See below (2j).

V. Moses, b. Oct. 9, 1726; he was of Ipswich when
he was pub. Nov. 2, 1754, to Esther Adams, of
that town. Perhaps lived in Sutton, Mass.

John CummingsS bapt. July 17, 1692, in Topsfield; pub-
lished Feb. 18, 1715, Mary, daughter of Isaac and Martha
(Towne) Larrabee, of Lynn. He was a cordwainer, and in
his father’s will shared with his brother Joseph, his grandfa-
ther’s homestead, the Hobbs-Bell place. In 1727 he ex-
changed this share with his brother Stebbens for a farm just
over the line, in Middleton, now known as the “Porter Gould
place.” In 1748 he sold his home in Middleton and re-
moved to Southborough, Mass., where he bought a farm
from John How. His son-in-law, Thomas Goodale, bought
the adjoining farm from John Gould. In his will, dated Dec.
19, 1755, he mentions his son John, “if he shall ever return

AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.

from His Majesty’s service.” He died Feb. 29, 1756.
Children :

24. i. John, b. April 19, 1717. See below (2^).

ii. Hannah, b. Nov. 6, 1718 ; m. Dec. 13, 1739, Thom'

as Goodale.

iii. Mercy, b. Oct. 26, 1720; m. July i, 1740, Thom-

as Pike.

iv. Benjamin, b. Sept. 12, 1723; d. Nov. 27, 1731.

V. Reuben, b. Jan 29, 1726; m. , 1747, Hannah

Booth.

vi. Sarah, b. May 30, 1729; was living in 1755.

vii. Benjamin, b. Oct. 7, 1731.

25. viii. Joseph, b. Feb. 5, 1733. See below (2^).

David CUMMINGS^ born in Topsfield, April 15, 1698;

married, ist, Anna . She died Feb. 9, 1741,36.

31. He married, 2nd, (pub.) Oct. 30, 1741, Sarah Good-
hue, of Ipswich, who afterwards married. May 25, 1769,
Deacon George Bixby. He, with his brother John, gave the
“South Side Burying Ground” in Topsfield. Lived on his
father’s homestead, and at death bequeathed the property to
his son Samuel. In his will he gave to his “well beloved
wife Sarah,” an annual allowance of the various necessities
of life, among those named being “five barrels of cider
yearly.” He died April 2, 1765.

Children :

26. i. David, b. March 26, 1729. See below (26).

ii. Jonathan, b. March 19, 1730-1 ; d. April 5, 1731.

27. iii. Samuel, b. Feb. 28, 173 1-2. See below (^7).

iv. Anna, b. Oct. 20, 1734; m. April ii, 1754, Moses
Perkins, and had five children.

V. Susanna, b. May 8, 1737; m. Dec. 8, 1763, Ed-
mund Towne and removed to New Ipswich, N. H.
vi. Elizabeth, b. Sept. 19, 1739; d. Feb. 13, 1741.

28. vii. Jonathan, b. Oct 14, 1743. See below {28).

viii. Stephen, b. Jan. 27, 1744-5; d. May 27, 1765,

“coming home from sea.”

ix. Elizabeth, b. Jan. 19, 1746-7; d. Feb. 14, 1746-7.

ISAAC CUMMINGS, OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.,

X. Daniel, b. Aug. 30, 1749. He was a soldier in the

Revolution.

xi. Archelaus, b. June i, 1752.

Samuel CUMMINGS^ born in Topsfield, Feb. 14, 1708-9;
married, Nov. 7, 1733, Susanna, daughter of Nathaniel and
Joanna (Dunnell) Hoodh Lived in Middleton, on a farm
occupied in part by his brother John, to whom he transferred
all right and title Nov. 23, 1733, and removed to Stoughton,
Mass. Was a soldier in the Louisburg expedition in 1745,
and was living in 1767, when his mother’s estate was divided.

Jacob CummingsS born in Boxford, Nov. 21, 1714; mar-
ried, , 1745, Mary , who died Dec. 2, 178-. He

lived in Boxford. Was a soldier in Capt. Jacob Gould’s
Company at Lexington. Was selectman of Boxford for
many years. He died March 26, 1803.

Children :

i. Mehitable, b. Sept. 21, 1746; d. Dec. 5, 1752.

ii. Dudley, b. Feb. 18, 1748; committed suicide by

hanging in Willis’ woods, East Boxford, June 25,

1815.

iii. Jacob, b. April 17, 1750; d. April 10, 1757.

iv. Polly, b. April 15, 1752; pub. March 29, 1785,

Thomas Andrews.

V. William, b. Sept. 19, 1755 ; d. Nov. 10, 1776. He

was a soldier in the Revolution.

vi. Jacob, b. Jan. 10, 1762; d. April 3, 1769.

vii. Thomas, b. Oct. 12, 1765 ; d. May 29, 1834, 71011

compos mentis.

Thomas Cummings^, born in Ipswich, was bapt. July 15,
1716; married, ist, (pub.) July 17, 1736, Lydia Richardson,
of Dracut. She died March 26, 1753, and he married, 2nd,
March 28, 1754, Anna Kettell, widow of Asa Johnson, of

I. See foot note page 12.

AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.

Andover. She died Dec. 6, 1 792. Lieutenant in the French
and Indian war and was at the capture of Louisburg. He
probably lived with his father on the hill farm in “thick
woods” until 1763, when he bought the farm in Topsfield
now known as the Robinson place. He died Sept. 3, 1765.
Children :

i. Asa, b. Dec. 28, 1737; d. Mar. 2, 1737-8.

ii. Lydia, b. Jan. 30, 1738-9; pub. Aug. 3, 1755,

Ebenezer Porter. Removed to Little Hocking,
Ohio, had thirteen children, and died Mar. 28,
1814.

29. iii. Thomas, b. Feb. 12, 1 740-1. See below (2g).

iv. Sarah, b. May 9, 1743; m. , Samuel Colby.

V. Anna, b. May 29, 1745 ; pub. June 25, 1763, John
Towne.

vi. Elizabeth, b. May 17, 1747; m. Dec. 6, 1764,

Abraham Hobbs, jr.

vii. Rhoda, b. July 13, 1749 ; m. April 20, 1774, David

Hobbs.

viii. Abraham, b. Jan. 4, 1755, grad. Brown Univ., 1776.

Clergyman.

ix. JOSIAH, b. Jan. 30, 1756; m. Dec. 6, 1781, Mary
Boardman. Private in Capt. Baker’s Co., 1775.
He d. of cancer Eeb. 6, 1835, in Albany, Me.

30. X. Stephen, b. Eeb. 9, 1757. See below (30.)

31. xi. Daniel, b. April ii, 1758. See below (31).

32. xii. Asa, b. Sept. 18, 1759. See below (32).

xiii. Israel, bapt. Dec. 25, 1763; d. Jan. 22, 1764.

Elisha CuMMINGS^ bapt. Aug. 2, 1719, in Topsfield;
married, 1st, Nov. 22, 1744, Mary Andrews, of Boxford ;

married, 2nd, widow Marston. He was of Topsfield as

late as I757» some time afterwards removed to Bridge-
water, N. H.

Children:

i. Mary, b. Feb. 13, 1745-6.

ii. John, bapt. Sept. 13, 1747; d. Sept. 24, 1747.

iii. John, b. Feb. 8, 1748-9.

iv. Andrew, b. P'eb. 8, 1748-9, died young.

ISAAC CUMMINGS, OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.,

V. Isaac, b. April 24, 175 1.

vi. Elisha, b. Sept. 20, 1754.

vii. Nathaniel, b. Jan. 16, 1761 ; m. Mary Crawford,

viii. Hannah, .

ix. Andrew, .

Joseph CUMMINGS^ bapt. May — , 1722, in Topsfield ;
married, ist, Nov. 20, 1744, Mary Hale, of Boxford ; mar-
ried, 2nd, March 21, 1 758, Judith, daughter of Jonathan and
Elizabeth Perkins, of Topsfield. She died March 30, 1791,
and he married, 3rd, June 21, 1791, widow Lucy Knowlton.
He lived in Ipswich, in the westerly half of his father’s home-
stead, and at the death of his grandmother, in 1770. acquired
title to the entire hitherto undivided ' estate of his grand-
father Isaac, the original “hundred acres” bequeathed by
Ensigne Hewlett. He died Oct. 24, 1801.

Children :

33. i. Joseph, b. Dec. 27, 1745. See below (33).

ii. Jonathan, bapt. July 26, 1747; d. June 13, 1752.

iii. Hannah, bapt. June 30, 1751 ; d. April 4, 1758.

iv. Mary, bapt. Sept. 23, 1753; pub. July 7, 1776,

Zebulon Smith, of Ipswich.

34. V. Jonathan, bapt. Nov. 9, 1755. See below (34).
vi. Mehitable, bapt. May 13, 1759; d. before 1795.

35. vii. Elijah, bapt. Sept. 27, 1761. See below (33).

viii. Amos, bapt. Dec. 25, 1763; pub. Dec. 13, 1783,

Mercy Knowlton, of Ipswich. Lived in Marl-
borough, N. H., where he d. Aug. 8, 1843.

Pelatiah CUMMINGS^ bapt. Oct. 27, 1728, in Topsfield;
married, 1st, Sept. 17, 1754, Sarah, daughter of Abraham
and Elizabeth Kimball. She was born in Wenham, Dec. 23,
1732, and died in Topsfield, May 22, 1769. He married,
2nd, Nov. 8, 1770, Sarah Hammond, of Rowley. Lived in
Ipswich, in one half of the homestead deeded him by his fa-
ther in 1752, until July, 1757, when he conveyed his title to
his brother Joseph, who owned the westerly half of the
house, and removed to Topsfield. In 1786 he bought of

ANI\ SOME OF ms DESCENDANTS.

Rev. Joseph Cummings, his farm in Marlborough, N. H.,
and, removing there, died in 1803. His widow died May i,
1808.

Children :

i. John, b. May 12, 1755 ; pub. May 25, 1777, Sarah

Tenney, of Wenham, and settled in Barnard, Vt.

ii. Pelatiah, bapt. March 12, 1758 ; d. Oct. 27, 1776.

A soldier in the Revolution.

iii. Lydia, b. April 24, 1760; m. Dec. 18, 1780, Hezi-

kiah Hotchkins, of New Ipswich, N. H.

iv. Mehitable, b. Feb. 28, 1762 ; m. Oct. 17, 1784,

Stephen Adams, of Ipswich, and lived in
Jaffrey, N. H.

V. Sarah, b. Nov. 28, 1764; d. Feb. i, 1778.

vi. Isaac, b. Jan 25, 1767; m. May 20, 1800, Betsey

Emery, of Winchendon. Lived in Marlboro’,
where he kept a public house. 7 children ; d.
Feb. 24, 1843, in Winchendon.

vii. Abigail, b. March 25, 1769 ; d. in Wenham, Jan. 23,

1770.

viii. Abigail, b. Oct. 8, 1771 ; d. unm.

ix. Oliver, b. June 4, 1773 ; d. in the war of 1812.

X. Elizabeth, b. Nov. 17, 1775 ; m. Stephen Benja-
min, of Ashby, Mass.

xi. Betsey, b. March 24, 1778; m. Sept. 17, 1804,
John Lummus, of Hamilton.

Joseph Cummings'\ born in Topsfield, July 27, 1713;
published. Sept. 22, 1739, widow Martha Hodgkins, of Ips-
wich. Cooper.

Children :

i. Nathaniel, b. Sept. 22, 1740.

ii. Abigail, b. Nov. 28, 1743 ; m. Sept. 9, 1766, Wal-

ter Everden. •

iii. Sarah, b. Sept. 10, 1746.

iv. Martha, b. June 28, 1749.

Daniel CUMMINGS^ born in Topsfield, Dec. 4, 1724;

ISAAC CUMMINGS, OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.,

published Feb. 8, 1746-7, Mary Williams, of Ipswich. Was
in the Louisburg expedition of 1745, under Capt. Thomas
Pike.

Child:

i. Lucy, b. Aug. 5, 1747.

John Cummings^, born in Topsfield, April 19, 1719 ; mar-
ried, , 1739, Mary Towne. Soldier in the French and

Indian war, 1755. Lived in Middleton and Andover, and
died in Andover, May 22, 1756.

Children :

i. Jonathan, b. Feb. 13, 1739, in Middleton.

ii. Abigail, b. Oct. 5, 1743, in Middleton.

iii. Mary, b. Dec. 28, 1745, in Andover.

iv. Mercy, b. Dec. 28, 1745, in Andover.

V. David, bapt. May 30, 1756, in Andover.

Joseph Cummings, born Feb. 5, 1733, in Middleton. He
married. Sept, ii, 1753, Elizabeth, daughter of Andrew Al-
lard, of Framingham, and lived in Southboro’. In 1767 he
exchanged, with David Goddard, his home in Southboro’ for
a farm in Athol. This farm was lot 41 on the proprietors
records, and is now located in Phillipston. He served as
Corporal in Capt. Dexter’s company, at Lexington. He al-
so was at Bunker Hill, and in 1777 marched with the forces
against Burgoyne. He held several town offices, and died
Feb. 25, 1818.

Children:

i. Joseph, b. Oct. 13, 1754; Revolutionary soldier.

ii. Elizabeth, b. Feb. 13, 1757.

iii. John, b. Aug. 13, 1759; Revolutionary soldier.

iv. Benjamin, b. Feb. 8, 1764.

36. V. Stephen, b. May 8, 1766. See below (36).

vi. Daniel, b. May 20, 1768.

vii. Nathan, b. April 8, 1771.

viii. Samuel, b. Feb. 2, 1773 ; d. Oct. 15, 1856. Lived
in Orange, Mass.

Susy, b. Jan. 7, 1778.

IX.

THE CUMMINGS-BATCHELDER HOMESTEAD.

AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.

37. X. Daniel, b. Jan. 27, 1781. See below (37).

David CUMMINGS^ born in Topsfield, March 26, 1729.
He was published July 16, 1748, to Joanna Jones, of Box-
ford.

Children :

i. Ebenezer, b. Sept. 21, 1749, in Topsfield.

ii. Elizabeth, b. Jan. 19, 1751, in Topsfield.

Hi. Joanna, b. Nov. 27, 1752, in Middleton,
iv. Phebe, bapt. May 30, 1756, in Andover.

Samuel CUMMINGS^ born in Topsfield, Feb. 28, 173 1-2.
He married, April 25, 1756, Eunice, daughter of Samuel and
Sarah Bradstreet. She was born April 15, 1733. Shortly
after the death of her husband she removed to Andover with
her family. She joined the South church, Andover, in 1798.
Sometime after the marriage of her daughter Mehitable she
went to Topsfield to live, where she died, July 20, 181 1. Re-
ceived by will, his father’s homestead, which, in 1777, he
sold to John Derby, of Salem, and removed to Andover the
same year. In 1784 he returned to Topsfield, having pur-
chased a farm of 162 acres, now known as the Batchelder
farm, which, at his death, became his son David’s share of
the estate, the Andover property going to Samuel. Tradi-
tion has it, that at the time of his death, Samuel lived in
Topsfield and David in Andover, and they were obliged to
move, much to their disgust. He died in Topsfield, March
(29-31), 1796.

Children :

i. Sarah, b. March 27, 1759 ; pub. July 24, 1774,
Francis Peabody, jr., of Middleton.

38. ii. David, b. May 19, 1762. See below (38).

iii. Mehitable, b. Aug. 31, 1767; m. April 23, 1799,

Thomas Emerson, jr., of Topsfield.

39. iv. Samuel, b. Sept. 10, 1774. See below (3g).

Jonathan Cummings^, born in Topsfield, Oct. 14, 1743;

22 ISAAC CUMMINGS, OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.,

married, 1st, Mary Eastman, of Pembroke. She died July
26, 1801, ae. 59, and he married, 2nd, Dec. 30, 1802, Mary,
widow of James Parker. She died April 15, 1826, se. 80.
He was a soldier in the Revolution. Blacksmith. Lived in
Andover. He died in 1805, according to the manuel of the
South church, Andover.

Children :

i. Sarah, b. May 2 1, 1767 ; m. April 13, 1788, David

Gray, of Andover, and d. March 15, 1793.

ii. Mary, b. Aug. 25, 1768; d. Sept., 1768.

iii. An infant, b. ; d. young.

iv. Jonathan, b. ; m. Joanna Cole, of Gray, Me.

V. Stephen, b. Jan. 12, 1773; d. in Portland. Phy-
sician. He m. Eleanor Hale.

vi. Mary, b. Nov. i, 1774; m. May 22, 1798, Solo-

mon Holt, of Andover.

vii. Daniel, b. Dec. 6, 1776; d. June 25, 1778.

40. viii. Daniel, b. Sept. 2, 1778. See below (40).

ix. Amos, b. July 2, 1781 ; m. Jan. 25, 1803, Abigail
Judkins, of Andover. Lived in Norway, Me.

X. Betty, b. Oct. 13, 1783 ; m. Sept. 2, 1806, Barnard
Douglas, of Portland, Me.
xi. Abiatha, b. Sept 22, 1786; d. Oct. 8, 1802.

Thomas CUMMINGS^ born in Ipswich, Feb. 12, 1 740-1.
He married, ist, April 26, 1763, Lois Boardman, of Tops-
field. She died Dec. 6, 1792, and he married, 2nd, Sept. 3,
1797, Elizabeth Perkins, of Topsfield. She died Dec. 6,
1825. Lived with his grandfather, Capt. Joseph, until the
death of the latter, in 1794, when he received by will all his
real estate, including the “burying ground.” He was a sol-
dier in the Revolution. He died March 27, 1806.

Children :

i. Jonas, b. Oct. 22, 1763; m. Aug. 16, 1787, Hep-

zibah Knowlton, and lived at the homestead.
He d. Jan. 16, 1804.

ii. Joseph, b. Dec. 14, 1765 ; d. before 1804.

41. iii. Thomas, bapt. May 29, 1768. See below (41).

AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.

iv. Nathaniel, bapt. June 24, 1770. Blacksmith.
Lived in Salem.

V. Daniel, bapt. May 15, 1774.

vi. John Boardman, bapt. May 4, 1777 ; m., ist, Nov.
26, 1801, Rebecca Balch, of Topsfield ; m., 2nd.,
(pub.) Jan. 26, 1804, Martha Knowlton, of Ham-
ilton. He lived at the homestead until 1807,
when he sold his share of the estate to his brother
Thomas.

Stephen Cummings®, born in Ipswich, Feb. 9, 1757;
married, March 29, 1780, Deborah Peabody. She died Jan.
21, 1821, 3e. 62. He died in Andover, April 16, 1797, ae.
40.

Children :

i. William Peabody, b. July 28, 1782. Lived near

Eastport, Me.

ii. Stephen, b. March 14, 1784. Lived in Maine.

42. iii. Charles, b. March 29, 1787. See below (42).

43. iv. Joseph, b. Dec. 6, 1792. See below (43).

V. Deborah Gould, -b. Oct. 19, 1794; d. Oct. 8, 1818.
vi. Susannah, b. Aug. 25, 1797; m. Randall.

Daniel Cummings®, born in Ipswich, April ii, 1758;
married, ist, Feb. 28, 1782, Mary Dodge, of Boxford. She
died March 10, 1824, and he married, 2nd, May 12, 1825,
Lydia McAllister, of Marlboro’, N. H. She died Dec. 29,
1856. Lived in Andover, with his widowed mother, during
his early years. In 1787 he removed to Marlboro’, N. H.
Farmer. Deacon of the Baptist church in Pottersville, N. H.
Died in Marlboro’, Nov. 26, 1836.

Children :

i. Daniel, b. Feb. 26, 1783, in Andover, Mass.; d.
Jan. 13, 1784.

ii. Daniel, b. Dec. 13, 1784; m. Dec. 5, 1815, Eliza-
beth Daggett. He d. in Chelsea, Mass., Dec. 30,
1852.

iii. Mary, b. Feb. 10, 1787; d. Jan. 21, 1834.

ISAAC CUMMINGS, OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.,

iv. John, b. Oct. 29, 1789; m. Feb. 16, 1815, Eliza-
beth Emerson. Removed to Warren, N. Y., d.
June 5, 1852.

V. Thomas, b. May 22, 1792; m. Dec. 5, 1820, Sarah
Harvey; d. in Indiana, Feb. 8, 1844.

vi. Anna, b. Jan. 2 1 , 1 795 ; m., ist, Nov. 6, 1 82 1 , Robert

Fay, of Walpole, N. H. ; m., 2nd, May, — , 1834,
Alonzo Hubbard, of Walpole, N. H. ; d. Jan. 31,
1841.

vii. Joseph, b. June 19, 1798; m. , 1819, Hep-

zibah Robbins. Blacksmith.

viii. Abraham, b. May 15, 1801 ; m. March 20, 1817,

Daphne Carter, of Roxbury, N. H. ; d. Aug. 31,
1827.

Asa Cummings®, born in Ipswich, Sept. 18, 1759; mar-
ried, 1st, March 7, 1782, Hannah Peabody. She died at the
birth of her ninth child, and he married, 2nd, May 25, 1797,
Lydia Holt. Soldier in the Revolution. Emigrated to Al-
bany, Me., in 1800, and died there Eeb. 22, 1848. Was a
prominent man in Albany and filled many important offices.
Children :

i. Enoch, b. Dec. 24, 1782. Lived in North Yar-

mouth, Me., and had two children.

ii. Asa, b. April 4, 1784; d. Oct. 18, 1786.

hi. Hannah, b. Oct. 23, 1785; m. Sept. 29, 1814,
Isaac Stevens, of Andover. Lived in Maine
for a number of years, and died in North Ando-
ver in 1827.

iv. Susannah, b. April 29, 1789; m. May i, 1826,
Benjamin Mooar, of Andover. She d. by an ac-
cident, falling down stairs, July 5, 1868.

V. Asa, b. Sept. 29, 1790 ; m., Oct. i, 1821, Phebe
Johnson, of Andover. D. D. Minister at North
Yarmouth, Me., 1821-9; editor of the Christian
Mirror, Portland, 1826-56; Harvard U., 1817;
d. at sea June 5, 1856, while returning from
Panama.

44. vi. John, b. March 9, 1792. See below (44).

AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.

45. vii. Francis Peabody, b. April 25, 1793. See below
(4S)-

viii. Sarah, b. Oct. 12, 1794; missionary to Burmah ;
um. ; d. of jungle fever. Baptist,
ix. A child, b. P'eb. 12, 1796; d. Feb. 13, 1796.

X. Lydia, b. May 28, 1798; m. Daniel Wheeler, of
Bethel, Me.

xi. Mary, b. July 5, 1800, in Albany; m. Andrew
Merrill. Lived in Michigan.

xii. Sophia, b. Dec. 19, 1802, in Albany; m. Marma-

duke R. Hutchinson, of Albany.

xiii. Stephen, b. July 23, 1805, in Albany; m. Nancy

I'rost, of Albany; d. March 28, 1863.

xiv. Hermon, b. Jan. 20, 1808, in Albany; m. Char-

lotte Frost, of Albany; d. Sept. 13, 1882.

XV. Leonard, b. Feb. 2, 1812, in Albany; m. Mary
Pingree; d. July 25, 1878.

Joseph CUMMINGS^ born in Ipswich, Dec. 27, 1745. He

married , Anna Gove, who died in Topsfield, July 22,

1792, aged 38 years, and was buried in the “old burying
ground” on the Cummings farm, where lie over one hundred
of the early settlers in the locality. The Lamsons, Smiths,
and Cummingses. But few stones now remain, and these are
of recent date. It is surrounded by a high wall and over-
grown with trees. Joseph Cummings graduated at Harvard
Coll, in 1768. He studied divinity in Topsfield, probably
with Rev. George Leslie, pastor of Linebrook church, who
had several students, and in 1778 he removed to Marlboro’,
N. H., and became the first settled pastor of the Congrega-
tional church in that town, at a salary of $133.33. Difficul-
ties arose between pastor and people, and in Dec., 1780, he
was dismissed from his charge, the church charging various
matters of Christian neglect, which were sustained at a coun-
cil of ministers. He returned to Topsfield and is said to
have gone to Ohio as the land agent of the Massachusetts
Company. While on his way home from there, he was taken
suddenly ill and returned to Marlboro’, to the house of his

ISAAC CUMMINGS, OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.,

brother Amos, where he died Sept. 24, 1788.

Children :

i. Charles, b. Sept. 23, 1777, in Seabrook, N. H.

Baptist minister; organized several churches;
m. Polly Hemenway and had 7 children ; d. Dec.
27, 1849.

ii. Mary, b. Aug. 3 1 , 1779; m., Jan. 8, 1802, Capt.

Jacob Batchelder, of Topsfield, who removed to
Boxford in 1828, where she d. in 1873.

46. iii. Cyrus, b. July 30, 1782. See below (46).

iv. Cynthia, b. April 5, 1785 ; m. March 2, 1812, Si-
mon Lane, of Sanbornton, N. H.

V. Samuel, b. April 5, 1785; d. June 22, 1802, in
Topsfield.

vi. Sophia, b. ; m. Daniel Story, of Ports-

mouth, N. H., where they afterwards lived.

Jonathan Cummings®, born in Ipswich. Baptized Nov.
9, 1755. Married, ist. May 23, 1780, Elizabeth White, who
died in Nov., 1797. He married, 2nd, Dec. 20, 1798, Lucy
Kimball, of Wenham. Lived in the house demolished a few
years ago by Eugene L. Wildes, which stood nearly opposite
the Smith house, so called. It probably was built about
1780, at the time of Jonathan’s marriage. He was a soldier
in the Revolution.

Children :

i. Polly, b. Sept. 15, 1781 ; d. April 22, 1783.

ii. Elizabeth, b. May 26, 1783.

iii. Lydia, b. Dec. i, 1784.

iv. Isaac, b. Oct. 18, 1799.

Elijah Cummings®, born in Ipswich. Baptized Sept. 27,
1761. He married, June 24, 1783, Eunice, daughter of Wil-
liam and Elizabeth Conant. She died in Topsfield, Dec. 13,
1813. He was executor of his father’s will and received the
homestead farm and personal property. He died March 27,
1842, aged 83 years.

Children :

AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.

i. Eunice, b. June 18, 1784 ; m. July 18, 1806, Moses
Knowlton, of Hamilton.

47. ii. William, b. Jan. 17, 1788. See below (4-7.)

iii. Judith, b. Jan. 28, 1792; pub. March 12, 1815,
Sylvester, son of David (33) Cummings.

Stephen Cummings®, born in Southboro’, Mass., May 8,
1766. He married May or Polly Brown, and lived in Phil-
lipston. Mass.

Children :

i. Betsey, b. June 21, 1792 ; d. Dec. 20, 1819.

ii. Stephen, b. Dec. 23, 1793; d. Oct. 17, 1820.

iii. Susan, b. Nov. 18, 1795 ; m. Felton.

iv. Polly, b. Nov. 10, 1797; m. Dunton.

V. Louisa, b. , 1800; m. King.

vi. Laura, b. April 28, 1802.

vii. Amos Smith, b. Dec. 2, 1804; d. , 1893.

viii. Charles Adams, b. July 3, 1807; m., ist, March

2, 1828, E. Rich, of Wellfleet, Mass. She d.
Dec. 2, 1831, and he m., 2nd, Oct. 9, 1834, So-
phronia Gregory, of Winchendon. She d. Jan.
9, 1839, and he m., 3d, Bowler. Had chil-

dren : — Mary Ann; George H. ; Abby ; Susan
Maria and Anna Bradley. He was a teacher in
Quincy, Mass., for many years, and d. Feb. 25,
1861.

ix. Fanny Ann, b. June 23, 1803.

X. Augusta Loretto, b. June 23, 1803.
xi. Joseph Boyle, b. Dec. 23, 1815.
xii. Francis Henry, b. Dec. ii, 1819.

Daniel Cummings®, born in Athol Mass., Jan. 27, 1781.
He left his home in Gerry, now Phillipston, Mass., in 1800,
and settled in Orleans, Mass., where he married, Dec. i,
1803, Lydia, daughter of Josiah Sparrow, of that town. He
lived in that part of Orleans known as Tonset, and was prom-
inent in town affairs. Was selectman fourteen years and
representative to the General Court for seven years. He

ISAAC CUMMINGS, OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.,

died Dec. 3, 1857. His wife died July 26, 1872.

Children :

i. Joseph, b. Dec. 17, 1804; d. Jan. 23, 1883.

ii. Samuel Smith, b. Nov. 25, 1806; d. July 4, 1822,

at New Orleans, La.

Hi. JosiAH Sparrow, b. Oct. 5, 1809; d. Feb. 23,
1810.

iv. Lucy, b. Aug. 24, 1812; d. Dec. 13, 1892.

V. JosiAH Sparrow, b. Dec. 15, 1814; d. June 29,
1863, at West Newton, Mass.

vi. Benjamin, b. Oct. 18, 1816 ; d. July 5, 1839, at

Charleston, S. C.

vii. Daniel, b. Dec. i, 1818.

48.viii. Calvin, b. March 24, 1821. See below (4S).
ix. George Washington, b. May 26, 1824.

X. Lydia Sparrow, b. July 27, 1826; d. Aug. 27,
1826.

xi. Lydia Sparrow, b. July 23, 1828; d. Feb. 21,
1858.

David Cummings®, born in Topsfield, May 19, 1762. He
married, Oct. 21, 1784, Mehitable Cave, of Middleton. She
died in Middleton Oct. 10, 1831. In 1814 he gave land to
enlarge the South Side Cemetery, and also built the wall
about it. He died March 22, 1826.

Children :

i. David, b. Aug. 13, 1785; m., ist, Aug. 13, 1812,
Sally, daughter of Daniel and Sarah Porter, of
Topsfield. She d. Feb. 2, 1814, of consumption,
and he m., 2nd, Aug. 17, 1815, Catharine Kitt-
ridge, of Andover. She d. in 1824, and he m.,
3d, Oct. 17, 1825, Maria F. Kittridge, of Ando-
ver, sister of his 2nd wife. She d. Jan. 3 I, 1873.
He graduated at Dartmouth College, 1806, and
was Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, 1828-
1855. Lived in Salem. He is well remembered
for his eloquence at public meetings and in ad-
dresses to juries. Many distinguished men
studied law in his office, among them being Ru-

AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.

fus Choate. He d. March 30, 1855, at Dorches-
ter.

Children :

i. William, h. ; d. Sept. 3, 1814,

ae. 19 mos.

ii. Francis,h,M.d.y 17, 1816; d. Oct. 3,

1849.

iii. Catharme, b. Aug. 23, 1818.

iv. Helen Franklin, b. July 2, 1824; m.

July 25, 1843, Edmund P. Tileston,
of Dorchester.

V. Maria Susaima,h. April 9, 1827; d.
Oct. 1,1866. Author of “The Lamp-
lighter,” “Mabel Vaughn,” etc.

vi. Thomas Kittridge, b. May 12, 1829;

m. June 25, 1863, Mary A. Paschall,
of St. Louis, Mo.

vii. Martha Ann, b. Feb. 12, 1832.

viii. Horace, b. April 4, 1834; d. April 14,
1856, in Dunbarton, Scotland.

ii. Abigail, b. Dec. 4, 1786; m. April 18, 1814, Sam-

uel Hood, jr., of Topsfield, a mariner. She d.
Sept. 15, 1863.

iii. Pamelia, b. Aug. 25, 1788; m. June 27, 1816,

Allen Porter, brother of David’s wife. She d.
March 27, 1837.

49. iv. Samuel, b. July 7, 1790. See below (^p).

V. Sylvester, b. March 17, 1793; pub. March 12,
1815, Judith, daughter of Elijah (35) and Eunice
Cummings. Had Hiram, b. Feb. i, 1816, d. Feb.
2, 1816; Judith A., who m. Erastus Smith ; Ma-
ria F., m. Stephen Peabody, of Boxford ; lived
in Newburyport, and had Mary, Maria and Sam-
uel ; Susan, who m. Dr. Wm. S. Thompson, of
Newburyport, and lived in N. H. Sylvester
Cummings received the Topsfield homestead as
his share of his father’s estate, where he lived
until 1829, when he sold the farm to the Endi-
cott family and removed to Bald Pate, in George-
town. He d. April 17, i860.

ISAAC CUMMINGS, OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.,

vi. Hiram, b. Nov. 20, 1794; d. Oct. 8, 1805.

Samuel Cummings®, born in Topsfield, Sept. 10, 1774;
married, Nov. 27, 1800, Lucy, daughter of Caleb and Lucy
(Lovejoy) Abbott, of Andover. She died May 25, i860,
aged 76. He was killed by being thrown from his team,
near his home, on July 8, 1816. Lived in Andover.

Children :

i. Samuel, b. Oct. 29, 1801 ; d. unm. June 4, 1856,

of typus fever.

ii. Lucy, b. Nov. 19, 1802; m., June 5, 1820, Joseph

Richardson; d. Oct. 2, 1873, of paralysis.

50. iii. Charles, b. Jan. 15, 1804. See below (so).

iv. Asenath, b. March 19, 1805 ; m. March 4, 1823,
George Richardson, of Chelmsford.

V. Mehitable, b. May 4, 1 806 ; unm., d. in Lawrence,
1874.

vi. Mary Elizabeth, b. March 8, 1812; m. Oct. 4,
1832, Nathan Abbott, of Charlestown, and d.
Nov. 27, 1872. Her four sons were in the Re-
bellion, during the entire war. Two of them were
afterwards killed in the great Boston fire of 1872.

Daniel Cummings®, born in Andover, Sept. 2, 1778;
married, June 30, 1801, Hannah, daughter of Benjamin and
Phebe (Chandler) Ames, of Andover. In 1832 his widow
was granted a letter of dismission from the church in An-
dover to the church in Springfield, Vt. He had the title of
“Major.” He was a carpenter and erected many buildings
in Andover, and removed to Bath, Me., before 1813. He
died in 1827.

Children :

i. Daniel, b. April 21, 1804.

ii. Elizabeth, b. May 20, 1807.

iii. Mary Eastman, b. Dec. 22, 1811 ; m. Seth Paine.

iv. Sarah, b. ; m. Rev. Hiram Orcutt.

V. Hannah, b, ; m. Williams. Lived in

Springfield, Vt.

AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.

Thomas CUMMINGS^ born in Topsfield, was baptized
March 29, 1768. He married, Jan. 4, 1798, Abigail Foster.
Lived on the Capt. Joseph Cummings farm, which he sold,
in 1819, to Samuel Bradstreet, who in turn sold to John and
Reuben Smith.

Children :

i. Jonas, b. June 9, 1798.

ii. Foster, b. Aug. 23, 1800.

iii. Asenath, b. March 23, 1804.

iv. Abigail, b. April 19, 1807.

V. Louisa, b. June 27, 1809.

vi. Elizabeth, b. Dec. 21, 1811.

Charles Cummings^, born in Andover, March 29, 1787;
published Sept. — , 1808, to Hannah Eaton. Lived in East
Andover, Me. Was married four times.

Children :

i. Stephen Osgood, b. Feb. 21, 1810.

ii. Charles, b. Jan. 14, 1812.

iii. Theron Johnson, b. .

Joseph Cummings^, born in Andover, Dec. 6, 1792 ; mar-
ried, 1st, Dec. 19, 1815, Mary Plummer, of Londonderry,
N. H., widow of Stephen Poor. She died Dec. 2, 1845, aged
63 ; married, 2nd, (pub. 1847), Phebe Foster, of Brentwood,
N. H. She died May 2, 1886, aged 14. Was deacon in the
Andover church, 1833, and was in charge of the Andover
almshouse for many years. He lived in Hancock, N. H.,
at one time, and died in Andover, Oct. 10, i860.

Children :

i. Joseph Hale, b. June 15, 1816 ; m. Rebecca Whip-
ple, of Hamilton. Had Clara, m. Wood-

bury; Lilia, m. Frederick March, of Newton,
Mass.

51. ii. Charles Osgood, b. June 29, 1818. See below

(50‘

ISAAC CUMMINGS, OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.

iii. Ann, b. June 27, 1820; m. Nov. 26, 1840, John T.

Randall, of Haverhill. Had George ; Sarah ;
Harriet, and John P.

iv. Henry, b. May 25, 1822; m. — , 1842, Eliza B.

Farnham. Schoolmaster. Lived in Haverhill,
Gloucester, etc. Had one daughter, Helen ; m.
Henry Freeman, of Chicago, 111.

V. Elizabeth, b. Jan. ii, 1826; m. , Dr. Sidney

Drinkwater, of Portland, Me. Had Louis and
Joseph.

John CUMMINGS^ born in Andover, March 9, 1792 ; mar-
ried, 1st, , Abigail Libby; m., 2nd, Mrs. Laura

Young. Lived in Albany, Me.

Children :

i. Lydia, b. Oct. 13, 1812; m. Waterhouse; had

13 children, all dying in infancy.

ii. Asa, b. June 17, 1814; m. Sophia Green, and d.

Dec., 1893.

iii. John, b. March ii, 1816; moved West, and d. in

1864.

iv. Abigail, b. April 17, 1818; m. Sept. 15, 1839,

Daniel G. Holt.

V. Albion Parris, b. June 9, 1820; d. , 1894.

Homeopathic physician. Lived in Wisconsin.

vi. Sarah Johnson, b. Oct. 24, 1826; d. Sept. 20,

1828, in Andover.

vii. Samuel Johnson, b. Dec. 31, 1828, in Andover;

m. Ann Poor; d. Jan. 31, 1865.

viii. Phebe Ann, b. Sept. 9. 1831 ; m. Nathan Atkin-

son, of Canada.

Francis Peabody CuMMiNGSh born in Andover, April
25) 1793; married, during the winter of 1816-17, Lois Cham-
berlain, of Waterford, Me. She died Nov. 28, 1838, in Al-
bany, Me., aged 43 ; m., 2nd, Mary Ann PYost, who died
Jan. 20, 1848 ; m., 3d, Hephzibah Holt, of Bethel, Me., who

AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.

outlived him. Served in the war of 1812. He died Sept.
14, 1863, 'in Albany, Me.

Children :

52. i. Aaron, b. Sept, ii, 1819. See below (52).

ii. Lydia Chamberlain, b. Oct. 12, 1821 ; m. Thomas

Green, of Waterford, Me.

iii. Lois Barrett, b. , 1823.

iv. Ephraim Chamberlain, b. Sept. 2, 1825; m.

Anne Pomeroy, of Portland, Me. Clergyman ;
d. Dec. 14, 1897.

53. V. Daniel, b. March 13, 1828. See below (SS)-

vi. Persis Bartlett, b. July 18, 1830; d. Jan. 10,

1848.

vii. Brainard, b. Feb. 24, 1833; m. Nov. 22, 1864,

Sarah H. Holt, of Albany, Me. No children.
Lives in Andover. Was a soldier in the Re-
bellion.

viii. Sarah, b'. Oct. 9, 1835. City missionary, at Wor-

cester, Mass.

ix. Lewis P'rancis, b. Nov. i, 1843. Lawyer. Chi-
cago. Civil war veteran.

X. Mary Ann, b. Feb. 8, 1846; unm. ; lives in
Bethel, Me.

Cyrus CUMMINGS^ born July 30, 1782. He married.
May 25, 1809, Susanna, daughter of Moses and Susanna
Wildes. She died Jan. 7, 1852. PAllowed the sea in his
earlier years, and afterwards kept the famous Topsfield
Hotel, on the Newburyport and Boston Turnpike. He was
prominent in town affairs, at various times holding all the
principal offices within the gift of the town. He died April
26, 1827, aged 45.

Children :

i. Susan, b. Aug. 20, 1810; m., April 6, 1859, Rev.

Martin Moore, of Boston, for many years editor
of “The Congregationalist.”

ii. Mary Ann, b. May 16, 1813; m. July 9, 1833,

Benjamin P. Adams, of Topsfield. She d. May
15, 1840.

ISAAC CUMMINGS, OF TOrSFlELD, MASS.,

iii. Cyrus, b. Nov. 24, 1816; m. Adeline D. Stevens,

of Boston. Attorney-at-law; d. Jan. 26, 1886.

iv. Catharine, b. April 21, 1819; d. Feb. 20, 1820.

V. Humphrey, b. Feb. 27, 1822 ; m. Mary H. Stevens,

of Boston; d. Aug. 9, 1874, in Boston.

William Cummings^ born in Topsfield, Jan. 17, 1788.

He was published March 25, 1815, to Sarah, daughter of
Benjamin and Martha (Perley) Scott, of Ipswich. She died
Aug. 17, 1878, ae. 86. Farmer. He built the house now
standing on the Cummings farm. Was known as “Captain,”
being commissioned Captain in the militia Sept. 19, 1821.
Was selectman for many years. He died Oct. 10, 1868.
Children :

i. William Perley, b. April 7, 1817; pub. April 4,
1841, Mary C. Dodge, of Hamilton. He d. Aug.

12,1842. Had, Sarah Elizabeth, b. ; m., ,

Jan. 23, 1862, Augustus Blaney ; had, Mary A., |

b. June 9, 1864, d. , 1889; Francis B., b. j

Aug. 21, 1866, m. Sadie Hooker; Almira A., b.
Oct. 4, 1874, and Jenney S., b. Oct. 14, 1878. I

54. ii. Alfred, b. May 28, 1823. See helow (34.).

iii. Almira, b. Dec. 1 1, 1828 ; m., June 10, 1880, Sam- ;
uel Todd, of Topsfield.

48 I

Calvin Cummings^ born in Orleans, Mass., March 24, I
1821; married, Nov. 25, 1848, Mary Frances, daughter of
James Freeman, of Orleans. He followed the sea from the ;

age of nine years until the time of his marriage, when he '

became a carpenter. About 1855 he removed to Kankakee,

111., where he lived until 1872, when he returned to Orleans,
and died there Sept. 25, 1872. |

Children : I

i. Arthur Richmond, b. April i, 1854, at Orleans. |

55. ii. Charles Freeman, b. July 31, 1858, at Kankakee. 1

See below (SS-)

56. iii. William Freeman Sparrow, b. May 9, 1863, at

Kankakee. See below (^6). i

AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.

Samuel CUMMINGS^ born in Topsfield, July 7, 1790. He
was published, July 17, 1825, to Joanna Andrews, of West
Gloucester. She was born Feb. 28, 1805, and died March
26, 1875. Received from his father, by will, the Cave prop-
erty in Middleton. He was for many years a successful
teacher, and was commonly called “Master Sam.” He died
Sept. 9, i860, and was buried in the South Side Cemetery,
Topsfield.

Children :

i. David, b. June 24, 1827, in Middleton; m., July

28, 1852, Olive C. Ross, of Danvers.

ii. Samuel Augustus, b. Nov. 4, 1829, in Middleton;

m., Aug. 9, 1859, Julia A. Perley, of Boxford,
and had Julia Augusta, b. Nov. 26, i860.

iii. Charlotte Porter, b. Dec. 30, 1832, in Middle-

ton. Died of scarlet fever, March 21, 1853, on
the eve of her marriage.

iv. Sylvester, b. Nov. 20, 1835, Wenham ; m.,

Aug. 2, 1861, Mary Jane Otis. Had, Nellie F.,
b. July II, 1862, and William, b. Nov. 18, 1869.
Lived in Chicago. Died in Springvale, Me., Sept.
22, 1890.

V. Porter Emerson, b. July 6, 1839, in Topsfield;
m., June 13, 1863, Emily Ferguson, of Spring-
vale, Me. Had, Mary Emily, b. March 26, 1 864 ;
Florence Amelia, b. Sept, i, 1866; David Porter,
b. May 25, 1869 ; John Murray, b. June 20, 1880.
Lives in Dorchester.

vi. Joanna Pamelia, b. Oct. 17, 1841, in Topsfield;
d. March 26, 1875.

' Charles Cummings^ born in Andover, Jan. 14, 1804;

married, , Mary Russell Fames, of Bethel, Me. She

died Jan. 28, 1888, aged 74. Was a peculiar man. Willed
; his entire estate to the town of Andover, cutting off his wife
^ and grandchild without a cent. The town waived all claims
and the widow occupied the property. Farmer. Lived in

36 ISAAC CUMMINGS, OF TOPSFIELI), MASS.,

Andover. Died of paralysis at the Worcester Hospital,
April 12, 1873.

Children :

i. Martfia, b. ; d. March 8, 1850, of scarlet

fever, ae. 10 years.

ii. Mary Emily, b. , 1842; m. Nathan Foster,

who was b. in Norway, Me. She d. of consump-
tion, Sept. 24, 1864. Lived in Andover.

iii. A son, b. Oct 3, 1843 ; d. young.

Charles Osgood Cummings®, born in Andover, June 29,

1818; married, ist, .Abigail W., daughter of Simon

and Clarissa Locke, of Newmarket, N. H. She died July 13,
1886, aged 62, and he married, 2nd, March 22, 1892, widow
Augusta C. Stevens, daughter of Willard and Henrietta M.
(Sheldon) Symonds, of Middleton. He was a farmer, and
for many years was in charge of the Andover almshouse.
He died in Andover, Sept. 14, 1898, having had no children,
but leaving an adopted daughter, Blanche L. Cummings.

Aaron Cummings®, born in Albany, Me., Sept, ii, 1819;
married, March i, 1866, Lydia A., daughter of Asa and
Lydia Sawyer, of Methuen. She was a school teacher. He
taught school between 1847 1855, in Maine, N. H., and

Mass., afterwards residing in Andover, Mass., and became a
farmer.

Children :

i. Louisa Marcella, b. June 30, 1869. Lives in

Andover.

ii. Arthur Gray, b. Feb. 12, 1872. Harvard Coll.,

1894. Principal of Hubbardston High School.

iii. Florence Levina, b. Oct. 9, 1874. Lives in An-

dover.

Daniel Cummings®, born in Albany, Me., March 13,1 828 ;
married. May 2, 1854, Hannah A., daughter of Moses W.,

AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.

and Lydia Holt, of Albany, Me. He died Jan. ii, 1896, in
Andover.

Children :

i. Luella a., b. Aug. 13, 1855, in Manchester, N.

H. ; m., Oct. 8, 1879, Frederick O. Perry, and
lives in Wakefield, Mass.

ii. Lydia, b. Dec. 6, i860; d. April 21, 1863.

Alfred CUMMINGS^ born in Topsfield, May 28, 1823.
He married, April 18, 1847, Salome M., daughter of Samuel
and Mary Ann (Stevens) Welch, of Hamilton. She died
March 31, 1894, m. 69. Farmer.

Children :

57. i. William Scott, b. Dec. 26, 1848. See below (s7)-

58. ii. George Washington, b. Oct. 8, 1850. See below

(58).

iii. Martha Stevens, b. March 30, 1853; m., March

28, 1888, Norman McLeod, of Topsfield.

iv. Abby Jane, b. March 25, 1854; m., Jan. 20, 1875,

William Porter Gould, of Topsfield. He d. May
18,1 897, leaving one child, Allen Porter, b. March
6, 1882.

V. Laura Anna, b. Oct. 15, 1857; m., Dec. 14, 1898,
Ira Perley Long, of Topsfield.

vi. Sarah Burgess, b. April 25, 1859; m., April 24,

1881, Ephraim P. Ferguson, of Topsfield. She
d. Oct. 16, 1895, leaving one child, Eva Burgess,
b. July 19, 1883.

vii. Hannah Eva, b. April 2, 1863 ; m., Nov. 30, 1882,

Samuel G. Goodhue, of Hamilton. Had Hattie
Alice, b. Sept. 6, 1885.

59. viii. Charles Arthur, b. Feb. 20, 1870. See below

{59-)

Charles P'reeman CuMMINGS^ born in Kankakee, Ilk,
July 31, 1858. He married, June 20, 1888, Eleanor Emma,
daughter of William Boyd, of Ayershire, Scotland. He is a
printer, and lives in Cambridgeport, Mass.

ISAAC CUMMINGS, OF TOPSFIELD, MASS.,

Children :

i. Margaret Eleanor, b. May 20, 1889, hi Cam-

bridge.

ii. Dorothy Quincy, b. Aug. 26, 1892, in Quincy,

and d. Aug. 31, 1895.

William Freeman Sparrow Cummings®, born in Kan-
kakee, 111., May 9, 1863. He married, June 18, 1891, Cor-
delia Johnston, daughter of James M., and Jane A. (Fowler)
French, of Cambridge. Lives at Quincy, Mass. Travelling
salesman.

Children :

i. Doris Estelle, b. Jan. 17, 1894, in Quincy.

William Scott CuMMINGS^ born in Topsfield, Dec. 26,
1848; married, ist, April 25, 1870, Aurelia Maria, daughter
of Maurice and Nancy P. (White) Webber, of Wenham.
She died Feb. 12, 1890, and he married, 2nd, May i, 1892,
Margaret L. Mullin. Lives in Swampscott. Farmer.
Children :

i. Mary Louise, b. Sept. 24, 1871; m. Sept, ii,

1895, Francis T. Glavin. Had, Grace E., b.
April 3, 1896; William F'., b. April 19, 1897,
and Florence M., b. Jan. 22, 1899.

ii. William Irving, b. Feb. 20, 1873; m., Nov. 28,

1898, Florence M. Conley.

iii. Perley Lester, b. Feb. 8, 1875 ; m., Nov. i, 1897,

Julia Perkins. Had, George W., b. Sept. 10,
1898, and Edwin P., b. Sept. 12, 1899.

iv. Laura Isabel, b. Nov. 4, 1876; d. April 15, 1877.
V. Nancy Porter, b. Feb. 25, 1878 ; d. April 12, 1878.

vi. Alfred Percy, b. Sept. 3, 1879*

vii. Annie, b. Feb. 26, 1893.

viii. Francis Scott, b. Feb. 23, 1895.

ix. Helen Catharine, b. July 25, 1896; d. Nov. i,

1896.

X. Alice Salome, b. Sept. 5, 1897.
xi. Gertrude Elizabeth, b. Sept. 17, 1898.

AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.

George Washington CuMMINGS^ born in Topsfield,

Oct. 8, 1850; married, , Nellie M., daughter of Moses

Chapman. Lives in Lynn. Carpenter.

Children :

i. Mabel A., b. Jan. 28, 1876.

ii. Harry Raymond, b. Oct. 22, 1890.

Charles Arthur CuMMINGS^ born in Topsfield, Feb.
20, 1870; married Elizabeth Bell, daughter of Frank and
Mary (Flaharty) Merrill, of Wenham. Lives in Wenham.
Employed by the B. & M. Railroad.

Children :

i. Arthur Merrill, b. March 3, 1891.

ii. Ernest Farnklin, b. Dec. 6, 1892; d. May 19,

1893-

iii. Annie Florence, b. June 9, 1894.

Erratum.

Page 9. Eleventh line from the bottom of the page.
Strike out the words, situated in the vicinity of, so that it
shall read — The farm was the preseiit Alfred Cummings
hojnestead.

ADVERTISEMENT.

REAL ESTATE FOR SALE.

The subscriber offers for sale, that excellent Farm, sit-
uated in Topsfield, on a beautiful eminence about one mile
east of the hotel, being the same that was lately owned by
Dubley Bradstreet deceased. Said Farm contains about
ninety two acres in the homestead, and in point of soil is
not inferior to any in that fertile town. There is also a
large two story House, two good barns, and other out build-
ings ; two good wells of Water, and otherwise well watered ;
it is well fenced into lots, with that most substantial fence,
stone wall — there is a unit a large orchard of good fruit,
now in a bearing state.

There are also about twenty acres of good meadow and
wood land, situated within about half a mile. Also, about
two acres of good peat meadown, situated near — all in
Topsfield.

Also, six acres of good marsh, and one half of a pasture
containing about thirty acres in all, situated in Ispwich.

The whole will be sold together and possession given the
first of April next ; or the owner will reserve the Ipswich
land, as best suits the purchaser. It will be sold for a reas-
onable price, and terms of payment made easy.

For further particulars enquire of

JOHN BRADSTREET.

Danvers, June 29, 1835.

\_Sale7n Gazette^

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

[The original record, of which this is a copy, is entirely in the
handwriting of Capt. John Peabody, the first town clerk and school-
master of Boxford.]

COPIED BY SIDNEY PERLEY IN 1880.

[1] Refaiued of the Conltabul of Boxford Robert
ftielf the fum of twanty fhillingf in Silver which mmmy
waf dew a pon an a grement from the towen of boxford
to the towen of Rowly for the year 1685 af doth a pear
by an a greinent mad by both towens bearing Date the
seventh of July 1685. I faye refaivad by me daniel
wicom fen’^' this tierft day of Juen in the year 1686.
John pabody.i

Avitnes

John pearsons.^

Daniell Wicom^

At a Lawfull and a Genarall meetins: of the inhabetanc
of Rowly velig the 18 of may 1685 it was a greead a pon
and voted by the a boue faid inhabetanc that Abraham
Radington sen"" fhall Cary a petefion to boston and enter
it in to the Genarall Coart in the name of the a hove faid
velig to desier the Genaral Court to grant the a bove G
vileg to bee a Town and the Court a Cordingly granted
that the velig fhould bee a town by them felves and ordered
the Velig to a gree with Rowly whear the bounds of the
Velig bee betwen Rowly and the Velig as attest John
pebody

and a Cordingly the velig fent Six men to a gree with
Rowly whear the lien should Run to devid betwen Rowly
and the Velig and thoef Six men did Consent that it
should be as it is now steated this sevanth of July 1685.
af attest John pebody who was one of the Commety
Lick wies the Commety of Rowly would not free the

1 Autographs.

(41)

BOXFOUD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

Velig (until they gave) to Rowly tliaier proportion of the
rainistars Real yearly (until) they Shall obtain a minnister
for them seines and in stead of the wholl they hane a-
greead to tack twenty Shillings by the yearteall the Velig
maintaien a minnester a inong themselves which doth free
ns from all other Reats for time to come in the Town of
Rowly as attest John peabody one of the men

[2] At a lawful town meeting held in Boxford the . . .
by the town of Boxford it was then agreed on and voted
that a Highway from Andover bounds to Topstield along
by Joseph Bixbes hows and also a nother waye from Zach-
ens Cortices hons to this a hove faid high waye or road
way a long by the Works threw Abel Langlyes farm also
from the Workes a long by the South sied of the plain
and fo to John Stielses and fo in to this a bone faid waye
and so from all other places that the men that fhall be
Chosen shall see needful for to bee layed out for the ves
of the town in genaral so as to doe af littel damig al
conueniantly may bee the men Chosen for this semis bee
af foloweth : thair names be Abraham Radington Senr
John Pearly Samuel Simonds Mosef Tiler fenr and John
Peabody fenr these hue men Chofen or anney three of
them a greeing with the men that the hy waies shal ly
threw thair land shall be a Ualewed act Avhat thay do not,
and it is alfo a greead a pon by the towen that this Com-
mety or others for high waies fhall giue accordingly notis
to all persons that thay doe lay anney hy waye threw thair
lands to be thare : it is alfo further a greead that when
the hy ways is to bee layed therew anney men or mans
land that al waies such men or man Shal haue af much
power in ordering wher the way Shal gooe af anney on of
the Commety tell it bee gone threw his land the way from
Andouer to Topsfild is to bee an open way all a long
therew the Town not to be inCombrad with gates or bars
23 of nouembr 86 the Commety a bove Chofen to lay out
high waies in order to thair work layed out a hy waye
from mapel medow by John pebodyes houf and fo a long
to Topsfeld Comman land in Bear hill plaien doing ai
letal damag af may bee and it doth lye a long in the ould
path to John Andrufef Slow and fo af near the hilly
ground on the left hand as Can Conveniantly bee layed to

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706. 43

the nex Slow and then Stil by the hilles to Thomas an-
dnifef beam and fo to Crean broock along the ould path
waye to Topsfild land this way is to bee the open by
waye af if aboue menfioned

The Commety a bone faid layed out a way from good-
man bofwels there vv goodman Radingtons pastuer to John
Stiles barn and fo along to the workes on the South Sied
of the plaien and fo along to zecheus Cortises beam al
fo the Commety did alfo a gree to lay out a way therew
Abel Langlyes farm by the workf to the maien Road way
af a bone : as letul to the damig of the farm af may bee
y elding to thair Conuenency af much as possible

Abell Langly did freely Confent that thay should lay a
high waye therew his farem af if a boue [recorded] af
atteft John pebody one of the committee and Clark that
was ordered to record what was done hear in : John pe-

body towen Clark

[3] At a legal Towne meting hild in Boxford the *
day of March 1687.

Sargent Bixbe was Chofen modarator for the prefant
meeting

first the Towne choes •5* Selact men for the year infew-
ing and ther names be as foloweth John Peabody fener
william Wotfon daniel wood John Andrews Abraham
Radington Juner Votad

•2* the Town Choef william Pabody Conftabul for the
year in fewing voted

•3* Thomas Radington Thomas hazan Jofaph Andruf
be Chofen Survaiers.

•4- the Towne mead an order that all Swien with in
the Town a boue *3* monthef ould fhall be wringed from
the medil of march to the firft of november yerly a
pon the panilty of six pence a weeck for every Swien that
fhall be found a pon the Comen with out a wring in his
noes and half the mony fo forfited fhal be for the finder
& the other half fhall be for the ves of Towne : Votad

•5* the Towen mead an order that all Rambf with in the
Towne fhal be Capt up or fofefiantly yacked from the
firft of awguft to the furst of novembr a pon the penilty of
I Sixpenc a tiem that any Rambe Shal be found doing dam-
I ig be payed to the owner of the Sheep whear he doth the
damig : Votad

44 BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

•2* July ’87* the Selact men of this Towne of Boxford
have leaf the parsoneg medow to Thomaf hazen and dan-
iel wood this prefant year for Six fhillings to be payed
in Corel! to the Cunstabiil for the Ves of the Towen

At a legal Town meting hild in boxford the 19th of
Aiigoft 1687

firft the Town Choes Sargent Bixbe madarator for the
prefant meting

•2* John Pearly Commesenor to Joyen with the Selact
men in a fafing the Towne a Cording to the honarad Traf-
nrerf warent. votad by the Town

•3* william foster if Chofen to keep an ordenary for
the Towne voted

also John pebody if Chofen to goe to Eowly to Search
the Towne boock abonght the lien of Topslild

At a lawful Towne meting hild in Boxford the 5^'^ of
Septa m her *87*

tint the Town Choes Abraham Radington Sener moda-
rator for the meting

•2* the Towne Choef -3* men to be a Commety for the
Town to healp the Selact men in making the Peat af fnen
af they Cean geat light to by and al fo to anfwer for the
Town! neglacting in not doeingther duty a Cording to the
honarad Trefurarf warent and to give the Refonf of 'ther
fo doing Thinking it hater to doe nothing at prefant
then to go by geaf without [anything] to Reat by : alfo
that william fosters hons fhal be the place of meting teal
the Town Chonef a nother plac

The 12th of June in *88 • the Selact men of Boxford met
to hear of the pooer & did order daniell Black Juner to
help hif father af much af hee head need of in hay time
& to give a Count of it to the Selact men.

The 8th of Jenewary •88/9* the Selact men had a meet-
ing mead a Reat of a bought eaight pound to bee paied in
silver for to pnrches amenition for a tonen Stock and have
ordered Mofef Tiler & Thomas pearly & Thomas Andruf
& * * * * for to Gather the a bove Saied Reat &

to lay it out in both pondr & bullets and flentf a Cording
to

|-^j * * ] (taniel Ames leaft his wief in a pooer

iThis record should probably be dated Nov. 4, 1693.

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706. 45

and helples Condesion and winter Came on She mead
her Complant to the Selact men for healp : theSelactmen
of Boxford for the present year John pehody John Chad-
wick daniell wood Zacheiis Cnrtes and josaph bixbee Jun :
who being fenfabel that thair waf no efteat to be had and
for the present to lieleue her and hir Children : did per-
swade fiohn pebody on of the Selact men to Refaive hir in
to his howf and and afford hir fuch nefafary Releef af
fhee ftood in need of and hir Children teall the Selact
men or Town Ihould tack further Cear in desposing of hir
and hir Children this ‘Jth* of november *93* Thus fear
the Selact men have dun af thair duty for the time being

af attest John pebody Clark of the Selact men and
Town Clark

[5] Boston •27* Novembr -1688* Refaived of m^
John hares on a Count of Thomas Pearly (^onltabul of the
Towen of Boxford Eleven pound Seven fhillings and 10*^
in full for the Contry Reat of that Town for Jo ^ Vsher
Tresurer pr Michall Perrey this is a trew Copey of the
Trafurers Refaight af a teaft John Peabody Clark for the
Town Ipfwich -IS- may *1696* then Refaived of daniel
wood Constable of Boxford 01^ — 18® — 6^ for the County
in •95* by rnee John Appelton trefurer

this is a trew copey as ateast John peabody

Att a Lawfull Town meting hild in Boxford the •21* of
may *1688.

The Town Choes John Peabody moderator for that
meting by a voat.

•2- the Town Choes -b* men for Selact men for y®
year in fewing by a voat and thair names be af foloweth
John Chadduck Thomaf Andrus daniell wood Thomas ha-
zen Abraham Radington Juner and John Peabody fener
Yotad

•3* John Pearly for a Commefiner for the year in
fewing by a Voat :

•4* Thomaf Pearly is Chofen Conftabull for the year
in fewing by a Yoat

At a meeting of the Selact men of Boxford the 16*^^ of
faberary *1689 : thay proporfined the minnisterf Reat and
alfo mead a town Reat to be payed in mony to discharg
the Towens deats for that year

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

At M biwfull Town meting hild in Boxford the *24* of ■

June -89’ the Town Choes John Perley fener to bee the
Constabul for the year in fevving by a Vote: alfo the
Choies of the Selact men bee af foloweth : *1* Corporall
Josaph Bixbe •2* Coporall Thomas hazen -S* william fos-
ter fener *4* Jofaph Andrus *5’ william peabody

alfo : Nathaniell Brown Jofaph Pebody .John Buswell
Robard Ames for farvayers for the year in fewing

At a lawtnll Town meting hild in Boxford the *24* of
June •1689-

The Town Choes John pearly fener and Samuel Simonds
Sener to bee the reprefentatives tor the folowing part of
this Summer or tel a nother bee chosen only thay bee not
to Sarve but one at a tiem and not to Confeni to Set up
any government Contrary to Charter preveliges :

[7^] At a Towen meting hild in Boxford may the
6th 1689 the Towen Choes John Pebody fener to bee a i
representetiue for the Towen and to Carey thear minds to
the Counfel of fifty Relating to the fetelment of gouerment :
and the Townes miends bee Signified in thes folouing
liens : towet : wee the free houelders and in habetanc of
the Towen of Boxford being vary fensabul of and thank-
full to god for his great marcies to us in delivering vs
from the Tiereny and opresion of thes ill men vndr whoes
Iniustes & Cruelty we have fo long groned with all Ren-
dring our harty thanks to thoes so Avorthy & honerabul
Jentilmen who have been Jngaged in foe good and naces-
ary a worck as the Confarvation of our peace fine that
Revel ution yet being also apprehancive of the many in
Conveniencies and hazerds of the present vnsetelment of
our afiaiers doe declear that we doe expact that our hon-
erad goiierner & dapety governor and asistanc Elacted &
Sworn by the free men of this Colony in May 1686 to
gather with the dapetyes then sent dauen by the Respact-
ive Towens to the Cort the[n] haulden and which was
never legally defolved shall Come and Reafuem and exar-
cies the gouerment as a general Cort a Cording to our
Charter on the nienth day of may in Sewing nex & in So
doing wee doe hear by promis and ingage to aied and asist

1 Page 6 is blank.

BOXB'ORI) TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

them to the vtmost of our power with our persons and
estates praying god to gied them in the rnanigment of our
ardeous aftaiers and wee doe hope that all thoes that are
Trew frends to the peace and prosparety of this land will
Radely and hartely «Toyen with vs hear in voted by the
Towne.

At a lawfull Town meting hild in Boxford June 3^* 1689

in answer to an order sent from the honerad president
and Councell of Seafty of the peepol and Consernation
of the peece the Town of Boxford haue Chofen elohn Pe-
body seller and Thomas Pearly fener to bee thair repre-
sentetives teell the gouerment shall bee seatled only they
bee to sarve but on at a time : and not to Confent to feet
vp aney goverment Contrery to our Charter preveliges
and also to Concur with the other representetiues of this
Colony which aer to meet at boston on the fifth day of
this enstant June : as a teast John Pebody Clark

At a Towen meting hild in Boxfor[d] the of June
1689 : it was voted that the selact men of Boxford f houeld
leatthe pasenag medow this presant year and a Cordingly
the Selact men have dun for Seven Shilli[n]gs this year
•89*

At a lawfull Town meting hild in Boxford the ‘12* of
defembr : 89

the Town Choes Enfien John Pearly and quartermaster
Thomas Pear''^ and Corperal Thomas Andrus to goe to
Rowly fume tiem this winter and to inquire of the town
of Rowly if thear bee any agreement betwen Rowly and
Topsfel or Epswich Conferning thair lien betwen Rowly
and Topsfeld from quartermaster Pearlyes to epswich
Revar

also John Pebody sener and Ensien John Pearly Cor-
peral Thomas Andrus Robert Ames sener Corperal Josaph
Bixbe Josaph Andrus be Chosen to steat the lien betwen
Topsfeld and Boxford this next Aprell and mack return
to the town

[8] allfo At a lawfull Town meting hild in Boxford
the *12* of desembr 89 the Town Voted that thoes men in
boxford that doe hear the word despenced at Topsfeld
f hall paye this year •15* pound fiue of it in Siluer to the
ministre and the Rast of the Town that goe to Andovar

48 BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

and bradferd to hear Shall paye proporsanabally whear
they doe hear voted by the Town :

At a Lawful Town meting hild in Boxford the -ll- of
march 89/90 Ephraham Cortes is Choes to be thaier Con-
ftabnl for the year in fewing : Voting *2- thaier felact men
and thaier names be af foloweth : John Peabody fen Na-
thaniell Browen Josaph Pebody Senr : Thomas Rading-
ton Thomas Pearly Sen^’ Voted Mosis Tiler is chofen for
to farve a pon the Juryes of trials and John Andruf to be
thair grand Juryes for the year in fewing: the naems of
the furvaiers be as foloweth : John Chadduck Epharaham
Smith william Peabody and gorg Bixbe and John Stiels :
be Chosen for Sarvaiers for this year enfewing it is alfo
voted that the Selact men Shall let the parsoneg farm for
this year in fewing : Voted

allfo John Pebody fener and Thomas perly fener be
chofen for dapeties to Saerve at the genaral Coart this
next year in fewing or tell fiim other bee Choesen and
thay be to faerve but on at a tiem and alfo to give an
a Couent to the Commety what nafesity ther is of thaier
going from tiem to tiem and alfo to have thaier advice
whether to gooe or not and when thay Shall gooe : the
Commety a bone Said bee Abraham Radington fener and
Josaph Bixbe fener to gather with the felact men which
the Towen Choes for a Commety for that end voted alfo
the Town haue a greead and voted to give Six Shillings a
weeck to the Souldiars in Contry paye that wear fent to
the eastward vndr fr edman Andros for all the tiem thay
wear gon from thaier feuarell hoems prouided that thay
will giue undr thaier hands in writing to return to the
town of Boxford as much paye as thay Shall refaiue if
the Contry doe at any tiem after thyer refaving our paye
giue them paye for thair faruis undr fur edmon Andrus
and in fo doing the Town doth order the selact men to a
fess the Town a Cording to the beast of thar light & if
nobody bring in bills thay be to goe by the ould Reats
movd this year Voted it is to be vndrstod that thay be
to keep as much of our mony with what thay fhal resaive
of the Contry as ihall fully pay them for thar tiem as
others the Souelders abone said be Ephariam Smith T7-
weecks John Tiler *20* weecks : Jonathan foster *4-

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706. 49

weecks : and in witnes to the a bone Said we have Seat
two ovr hands this 13^‘‘ of April 1690

Ephraim Smiths
Mofis Tiler feneri
Jonathan foster^

[9] At a Lawful Towne meting hild in Boxford the
1* of march ‘OO/l* the Town Choes Corperal Josaph Bixbe
Conftabul for the year in fewing -2* Enfien John pearly
quartermaiter Tiler Corperal Thomas Andrus Samuel Si-
monds Corperal Kimbal Selact men for the year infewing
voted -S- william watfon Robart Ames Juner Jonathen
Bixbe John Andruf Seruears for the year infewing voted
•4* the Toune Voted to Send fume men (namly
John pebody and John hu*) to the Cort at bofton to pete-
fian the General Cort for an a beatment apon the doum-
ing the Towen in the ton Reats and two and a half in
mony -f- tliay finding them felus oner dumed

•5* and for all the damig that fhall come a pon the Se-
lact men for not laying the rniftacken mony the Towen
haue votet to bear it by a town Reat

•6* that every foulder in the town fhall geet him felf
two pound of powdr a peece and bullets and flints pro-
porfanabul -Voted by the Town :

that Corparel Thomas Andrus is Chozen Clark of
the marcet to fee that all mesuers bee Capt in good order
a Cording to the ftandard

•8* that Gorg Black and wedow Andrus and Alter
Cary fhall not bee Reated by any felact men teal the Town
giue ordr (that is to Say) : not in our towne : Voted
The Selact men of Boxford mead the twenty Reats in
the year -90- and mead them -4^ — 10® — 00- moerthen the
warent did requier and thay haue orderad Ephararn Cor-
tes Conftabull to pay to Rowly twenty fhillings as mony
and John pebody fener and Thomas pearly fhner bee to
have the other *3’ pound and to laye it out in poudr and
fhot for the vs of the Town as fueen af Conueniantly thay
Cean and to giue an a Count to the Town of thaier doing
hearin

15 defembr *91* at a Lawful Town meting hild in

1 Autographs.

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

Boxford the Town Cliof Samuel Simonds moderator -2.
the Town Chos Ensien John pearly and Corperal Thomas
Andrus Colecters for this year ‘Ol* to gather the minestars
Rates and to gather vp the arearffor that which is behind
of all the menisters Reats formerly to this year

•3* the Town Voted to paye to the minestre of Tops-
fel this yer 15 pounds one third of it in Siluer mony
•4* that the Last Twesday in fabewary next in fewing
is a point [ed] a daye for to Choues a Commety for to
Steat a pleac for to fet [the] meting hones in and other
nafefary oCatiens if the Towen aprove of it

•5* the Town Choes fum men to Join with the Com-
mety of melety to aduies with them concerning men who
ihall goe out to war from tieme to time and to inJage
with them in that a faier : and thair names be John An-
dros and daniel wood troppers : Sargent Chadduck Cor-
peral Thomas Andros Corperal Jofaph Pebody william
foster Seller Samuel Simonds Voted: *23- of fabewary
•91/2- the Towen being meat to gather a Cording to a
poiutment voted to Choves a Commety on the -8*th of
march next iusiiing to liend out a lit pleac to fett a meting
hous

[10] At a Lawful Town meting hild in Boxford the
of march •1691/2* the Town Choes John pebody
fener mode rater for the daye :

•2* the Towen Choes Jofaph Andrus Conftabel for the
year einfewing : -d* the Town Chos thair felact men af
ibloweth Samuel Simonds Sener Thomas hazan Josaph
pebody fener John Andrus Robard Ames fener -J* Cor-
peral Thomas Andrus grandJurey Leftenant Thomas parly
Jure of triads for the nax Court at Ipswich: 5 : Samuel
Smith daniel wood Sargent Chadduck Corparal Kimbal
Sarvaiers for the year in fewing: *6* the Town Choes
Saveral men for to mesuer from end to end and from fied
to fied of our towen to fiend out the Senter and if that
bee not the moest titest place for to fet a meting hous in
then the Commety that wee (Jioues aer to Confedar of a
nother place or places : which thay Shall think molt fitest
and fo mack thair report of what thay shall doe hear in to
the Town of Boxford : and the names of the men Chofen
for the Sarues a boue Said bee Leftanent John gould Laf-

BOXFORD TOWN RECOKDS, 1685-1706.

ten Thomas Backer : Sargent John Honey Henary Wil-
kens Ensien John perly Leften Thomas parly qurterm.
Moses Tiler Samuel Simonds fener Robart Ames I'ener
and John Pebody fener Zecheus Cortes this Commetty bee
to meet one the first tewesday of June next in fewing for
to doe this feruis aboue menfinad

At a Lawfnl Town meting hild in Boxford the *31* of
Maye -92*

the town Choes John pebody and Thomas pearly fener
representetives for the genarall Court or a Sembly or-
dered to be heald the of June in the a hove Said
year •92* by the gouerner and Counfell: The Commety

a pointed by the Town to fiend out a place to fet the meet-
ing hous in meat one the of June 92 a Cording to

the Townes order and thay have mesurad the towne from
ende to end and from fied to Sied : and from the ferthies
bowsing by wills hill to gorg bixbes feeld is *7*miels : and
from the farther most Corner of our Land near maremack
Reuar to gorg bixbes feald is -8- miels : and from the -8*
miell tree to gorges feld is -2* miels and a qurter : and
from Rowly Lien to the aboue laid feeld is a boute •2*
miels and a half the neraft waye as Sume think

•9- July •92’ the town had a meeting a Cording to
warent and the To wen Choes Ensien John pearly Com-
mesener to Joyen with the Selact men to tack a trew valew-
ation of the esteat of the Towen a cording to Lawe

Leftenant pearly and John pebody fener have payed to
Rowly the three pounds of pay that was deliuerad to them
for the ues of the Town Rowley had it to Satisfy for tew
years Salery dew to them by an a grement of the Vileg
with them before thay would part with vs

[11] At a Lawful Towen meting hild in Boxford 15^‘^
of march *92/3 the Towen Choes Leftanent Thomas par-
ly to bee the modarator for that day : alfo Abraham Rad-
ington Constabul for the year enfewing voted-i- alfo Choes
*5* Selact men and there names bee as foleweth : John
pebody fener Sargent John Ch * * Zecheus Cortes dan-
iell Wood fener: Josaph Bixbee voted: alfo Leftenant
Thomas pearly Commesiner for the year insewing alfo
the Towen Choes Eniien John pearly to farve af a Jure-
man for trials at naxt Cort at Ipswich and Thomas

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

Redington grandiiirey for the year insewing also quarter
mafter Tiler Samuel Simons be Chosen tithing men this
year insewing also John Ames Servaier and John pebody
Juner and Temothy dormen also Josaph pebody fener and
mofes Tiler fenc vewears and to fee that fwien bee wringed
a Cording to Lawe : also corperal Thomas Andrus Clark
of the market also John pebody fener Clark of the towen
to enter votes of the towen from tiem to time : alfo voted
by the Town that all our town Charges fhall bee raifed af
foloweth that is to saye one quarter fhall bee layed a pon
vacant land and one quarter part of eny land : and one
half a pon heads and movebal esteats heads being valewad
at twenty pounds a head in all fuch Town Reates voted
also the Town Choes fevan men to bee a Commety to
order the waye emproving the minestars farm and to
order what a howes fhall bee a pon it at the presant if
anney and what way to paye for the buelding of it and
the names of the a bove Said Commety bee af foloweth
John pebody enfien John pearly Samual Simonds fener
Leftenant Thornes pearly quarter master Tiler : Corparel
thomas hafen Eparam Cortis this work is to bee dun
with in one year if the Commety doe a gree in macking
of thair Report to the Towen.

at a Town meting hild in boxford the *3- of July -OS*
the Town Choes John Pebody senr to Same as a repre-
santetive for the Town this Sasiens.

at a Lawful Town meting in Boxford the 15^'^ of Sep-
tember -93* Choes daniel wood modarater : and Leften-
ent pearly Thomas Andrus J * * * * Ames daniel black
Thomas Radington to fee that Swien bee wringad a Cord-
ing to Law : alfo Sargent Chadduck Jury man for newbury
Court :

at a lawful towen meting hild in boxford the -31 • of
October *93* the Towne Choes Enfien John pearly to
gather what is rafinably and honestly dew from Robart
Ames his esteat to his fon daniels Children and to ves al
lawfull mens to obtaien that which is dew and to giue an
acount to the Town that so it maye be disposed of for the
faid daniel Ameses Children Voted

also the town Chos Leftenant Thomas p * * * * as a
represantetive for the town this next Sit * *.

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706. 53

[12] At a Legal Town meting honlden in Boxford
* the Town Choes Enfien pearly moderator tor the
day and allb (vote)d that nacent land fhoiild not bee
rated this year to anney * * Charges in Boxford : *2- that
thos that doe hear the word of (God) despanfed at Topf-
feeld should this year pay to the menistry thaier the sum
of eaighteen pounds one thord of it in Silner money
not to Beat Uaeant Land So high as wos a greead a pon

At a Lawfull Town meting hild in Boxford the 13*^' of
march 1693-4 the Town Choes Corperal Thomas Andrus
moderator for the day: Voted: alfo John pebody fener

Town Clerk : Voted : alfo John Kimball Conitable for the
year infewing voted alfo The town Choes five felact men
for the year infewing and thair names be as foloweth Lef-
tenent Thomas Pearly : Corporel Thomas hazen * arter
master Tiler william foster fener : Epharam Cortes Voted :
alfo John pebody fener Comesiner for the year infewing
voted : alfo william pebody and John Andrus Saruaier[s]
for the year in sewing : also Thomas Radington and Josaph
haillbe Chosen fenc vewars for the yer infuing also Epha-
ram Smith and moses Tiler Juner be Chofen to loock after
horses for the year infewing: alfo John Stiels grandJure
and Josaph pebody fener Jureman for nex * rt at Eps-
wich : alfo Ensien John pearly and Abraham Radington
Juner tithing men

At a Lawfull Town meting holden in Boxford the -24*
of April -94* the Town Choes John pebody fener mode-
rator for the daye : voted

the Town Voted that the Town of Boxford Should
build a meting hous in Conuenient time therty fouer foout
Squear and eaighten foout Stud betwen gointes also to
build and finniesh this meting hons with in the speac of
two years- after the deat hear of dated the *24* of April
•94.

At a Lawful towne meting honlden in Boxford the •14*
of May -94* the Towne Choes Ensien ^ * ly moderator
for the day : and by Reson of defaranc they did no moer
that day

At a Lawfull Town meting honlden in Boxford the •26*
of July *94* the town Choes *3* men for affesars for this
year and thair names bee as foloweth : John Pebody

fener daniell wood fener and Josaph Andrus * * thay b

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

all fworn a Cording to Law John Pebody was fworn * *
nathan Corwin Esquier and daniel wood and Josaph An-
drus was fworn * * John pebody Clark of the Town as
attest John Pebody Clark :

[13] Josaph Andrus Conftable of Boxford brought a
resaight from nf* Tailer trasurer for the year *93- of fifty
pounds *19 Shillings which is peart of the Towns afef-
ments for the year -93*

as attest John Pebody Clark Keper of the Town Boock :
Besaiued of nf’ Josaph Bixbe Constabell of Boxford
Eight pounds Eleven Shillings and two penc by discount
the 1^^ of June 1694 being the full of the twenty fouer
thowsent pound Beat of the Said Town of Boxford I say
refaued for iif’ Jimes Taylar Trefurer this is a trew Cope
of a resaight which the Constable Josaph Bixbe brout
from the Trasurer as attest John pebody Clark

•28* June *94* deliuerad to Sargent Chadduck of the
towns money by order of the selact men for poudr and
fhot the fumbe of — 09 — 03 — 02

30^^ June *94* Besaiued of Sargent Chadduck one
hundred and twelve pound of bullets bages and all and
three hundred flints which Coomes to two pound ten
shillings — 02 — 10 — 00

also a fmall barel of powder barel and powder and
bringing Corns to — 04 — 14 — 00

also hee deliuerad to mee the seame day in Silver the
fume of — 01 — 18 — 08 as witnes my hand John Pebody
Town Clark for Boxford

•6* of octobr -94* layed out in ponder and Shot and
bullets and bringing — 08 — 19 — 8

Befaived of John Kimbol (Constable of Boxford 15^'' of
nouember *94 : 03 — 11 — 5

Besaived of John Kimbol Constabel of Boxfor[d] •27**^
of desainbr 94 01 — 00 — 0

Besaived of Constable Kimbol for the powder Beate in
Silur — 00 — 13 — 4

Besaived of Constable Kimball for the ponder Beat in
Silver 01 — 08 — 0 2 fabruary 96/7

all that 1 haue Besaived is caft up att 15 — 15 — 11
9 desambr 1701 Besaued of Constabel Kimbol in Sil-
uer for the powdr Bat — 11 — 00

Besaived of nT daniel wood Constable of Boxford

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706. 55

twenty five pounds thorten Shillings and sixpenc in full of
two Rates a mounting to *25^ 13® — 6^: by James Tailer
Tresurer : may *28* 1696 this is a trew Cope as attest
John pebody Clark of Boxford.

Boston may 26‘^ 1697 : Resaived of mr Thomas an-

drus Constabel of Boxford twenty Sevan pounds in part
of a warent for fifty fouer pounds Resaived for m^ James
Tailer Trasurer Resaived by Jaremy Allin booek kepar
as attest John pebody

•14* Augost.96. dilevared to quartermaster Tiler of the
town Stock of poudr and bullets and flintes : ten pound of
poudr thirty pound of bullets and -50* flintes and hee is to
keep this part of the Town stok teall the Selact men
fee Caues to lodg it in fum other place as attest John pe-
body Town Clark

[14] At a Lawfull Town meting hild in Boxford the
4^*^ of desambar •94* the Town Choes John pebody mod-
erator for the presant meting : also voted by the major
peart of the Town was that the Town of Boxfor[d] fhal
paye to the menistry of Tipsfeld this year *94* the sum of
Eaighten pound on thord part of it Silver money pro-
voided thay seat us a cordingly as thay doe themsealves
which was thair promies

At a Lawful Town meting hild in Boxford the ‘22* of
[ Jenewary 94/5 the town Chos Samuel Simonds sener
I moderator for the meting Voted : also the Town Chos the
place for to set the meting hous in and the place is be-
twen william pebodyes hous and gorg bixbes hous as thay
Can agree with the onenars of the land the town firs voted
i to fiend this plac a bove said by a vote : of the town : Jo-
i saph Andruf and fevral others entered thair Conterary de-
; sant a gainst the place a bove named for sum Resans thay
I had

At a Lawful Town meting held in Boxford the *29- of
Jenewary 94/5 and first wee Choes daniel wood modera-
tar for the presant meting voted : also the Town Choes *5*
men to be a commety to carey on the worck of bulding the
meting hous in the Town of Boxford a Cording to thair
beait discrasion emprouing men in our owne town if thay
may bee obtained rasanebly also to agree with the ouener
of the land wher the meting hous shall Stand : and the

56 BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

men Chosen to bee this Commety a hove Sad bee al
foloweth Thornes Andms : Ensien John Pearly John
Pebody quarter master Tiler Thomas hazen :

At a legal Town meting honlden ||in Boxford|| the 12*^^
of march 1694/5

first the Town Choes ||Corparal|| JosaphBixbe modera-
tor for the meeting voted

*2* the town Choes Sargent John Chadduck Constabel
for the year insewing

the town Choes fine Selact men ||and to be assesars||
and thair names bee af foloweth Ensien John pearly quar-
ter mafter Tiler: Corperal Josaph Bixbee John Andrus
Corperal Josaph pebody : voted : and John pebody Clark :
also Abraham Redington Juner and Josiah Bridges fer-
vaiers of high waies : also Josaph Andrus and Epharem
Smith and John Ames and moses tiler Juner fenc vevers
for the year in sewing voted : also Leftenant pearly grand
Jnrey and daniell wood fener Jury of trials also the Town
Choes *5* men to meet with Topsfeld men to agree with
them if thay Can : a bont the satling of thair bounds with
our town in places wher thay and our toun Joyen to
gather and if this Commety a bove Chosen Cannot a gree
'with Topffeld Commety in Sattiling the bounds betwen
them and wee whear it is yet to goe : then the a bove sad
Commety is to mack Retern to the Town that fo other
rnethords may bee emproued for the Satteling of our
bounds : the names of the Commety bee as followeth : En-
sien John perly Leften Thomas pearly Samuel Simonds
fen^’ Corparal Thomas Andrus * * * * John pebody:
also John pebody to get Coppies ||at the towens cost||
of the generaP

i^^0tiiio’ hild ii] ***** *

the Towen Choes John Pebody modarator for the day
2 the Town Choes John pebody to same as thair repra-
sentitive at the grate and genaral Court to begin at boston
on the •28* of this enstant may

also the Town Choes the Saem Commety to Settel
bounds with all others that Joien a pon us in all places
that wee Choes to agree with (Each) Conserning thair lien

1 Torn off.

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706. 57

with US : and thair names bee as foloweth Ensieii John pear-
ly John pebody Leftenant Thomas pearly Thomas Andrus
and Samuel Simonds voted as attest John Pebody

At a Lawful Town meting hild in Boxford the of
«Tuly -95-

the Town Choes Ensien John pearly moderatior [for]
the day : also Choes Left * * Thomas pearly Commesin-
er for this presant year : also the town Choes A * * *
Radington to fume a pon the Jury of trials next Court at
newbery v(oted) : also the Town Choes John Earns to
mack a pound and to set it by the * * near Josaph heals
hovs and hee ||the Sad hale|| to bee the pound keepar for
the presant voted .

At a lawfull Town meting hild in Boxford the of de-
samber the town Choes Sammuel Simonds moderator for
the meeting V(oted) and the Selact men declared that the
grounds of the meeting was to a low of such billes of
Chearg as wear by Law and Reson a lowed sevral wear
offerad but only one allowed to Edward phelps of forty
* * also the Town voted to paye to Rowly the twenty
shillings ||yerly|| y^ is yerly dew to (them).

At a Lawfull town meting holden in Boxford the tenth
of march 169(5) *

the Town Choes william pebody moderator for the
presen (t) meting Voted also daniel wood is for the year
ensewing chosen Causta(b)el Voted the Selact men ||and
assesars|| bee as foloweth : John pebody william pebody
Thomas A * * * Jonathan foster Jonathan Bixbe bee
chosen Selact men for the year inaewing also mosis
Tiler Juner and Zacheus Cortes bee Chosen Seruaiers for
the year * ^ ^ * Ebennezar Stiels and Thomas pearly
j Juner bee chosen fenc vewars this year * * John Ames
I is Chosen Jury ||man|| of trialf this nex Court at Ipswich
I in march * * * el Simonds is Chosen grand Jury man

Ii for the year in fewing voted * * town Choes Captain wi-
com to asest and healp our Commety in all * * tyes thay
may meet with all in satteling our bounds with all towns
* * * pon and also doe agree to Satesfy Capten wicom
in Reson for * * * will bee perswaded to half us in that
a faier voted : Same * * * Town voted that the Selact
men this year shall call all the former constabel(s) that

58 BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

have been in our town to giue an a Count what thay haue
dun with the money that wos ouer layed in each mans
Rate for the }"ears thay sarved that so it may bee desposad
of for (the benefit) of the town : Voted ; also voted that
gorg bixhe shall have the vse of the parsenag medow this
year in sewing and he to pay for it what * * * * also
the Town voted that no man shall medall with *

* * *ing to the parsanig farm with out (leave) from the

* * * * also the Town Choes Corperal Josaphi * * * *

[16J ^ ^ names u * * * nder *********

of July 1696 in fetteling the boundes * n Boxford *
the propriators of the farrnes att wils hill namely E *

* *ns and Esqier balingemes formerly Called peculers *
the bounds bee as foloweth : a tree marked by the Revar

* ut forty Rods a boue the Indian bridg and from * c a
pon a norwest Cors to a heap of Stones a littel * * d wil-
liam waies hous : and from thenc a pon a northw * * *
to a heap of stones by pout pond broock : and so from
thenc a pon the seam Cors to a forked whit Oack tree
which is now down and a heap of stones in the Roome of
it and from thenc northerly to a Rock in beech broock
whear the broockes meet and from thenc a pon a north-
westerdly Cours to the whit Ocke tree marcked : and
from thenc a pon the fame Cors to a Crooked whit Oack
tree marked with Bee.

Boxford Commety was Ensien John pearly and Corper-
al Thomas Andrus and Samuell Simonds.

the propriators of the a boue s^ farrnes wear Thomas
fuller fener and Thomas fuller Juner and Thomas Wil-
kins : as attest John pebody Clark.

* of fabewary 96/7 the Selact men of boxfor(d) Called
the Conft * * a Rackning for money that wear ouear
laied in each mans * * * fouer of them did apper to
Raccon namly Josaph Bixbe * haram Cortes Abraham
Radington John Kimbol and the fela * * be Satisfiad
with the a Counts and doe fiend John Kimbol in the Towns
deat - 2^ • • 9®* and doe order him to paye to Ab * * *y
one pound *4* Shillings for parsons that wear ouer K * * *
year which wos not Just: thorow mistakes: and to Jo

1 Torn off.

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706. 59

* * * * be ,6®-8^-: and to John pebody *18^* 4^*: for
the Yes of * * ^ * have payed to Josaph Bixbe 16® for
a Reat that hee * * * Josiah Bridges when hee was Con-
stabel in -Ol- and * * * Recover the *16®* of s^ bridges
he is to Retorn it t * * * wee doe fiend the Town to bee
in deat to Epharaui Co * * 6®- 10^ for pearsons that wear
Reated which could not * * * witnes our hands the Sa-
lact men of Boxford

John pe * * *

Thos An * * *

Jono * * *

will
* #

a bone s^ John Kimbol hath payed to the a bove
Abraham Radington the *24- Shillings as is above * * *
Selact men then in being as attest John *******

******** Thomas Andrus Constabel for the
year * * * ^ pebody is Chosen Town Clark for the year

* * Chos the Selact men for the year in sewing and also
^ the same men for assesars for the year in Sewing * *
names bee as foloweth Corperal Josaph bixbe and * *
Andrus william pebody Sargent Chadduck * * * as pearly
Juner thes bee to Same for the year in fewing * william
foster sener grand Jury for the year insuing Josaph
heayel seam on the Jury of trials at next Coart at Ips-
wich

Thomas Andrus is Chosen selare of waits and mesuers
Samuel Simons fen^' and John Ames fervaier for the year
in * * Thomas hazen and Josaph pebody senr fenc vewars
for the yer insewing * osis Tiler sener and Thomas Rad-
ington tithing men for this year.

the town have Yoted to Exsapt of Captin goulds and
Endicots farm : if anney men will bee att * * rst and
paiens to precuer them to bee layed to our * * by petes-
ining to the genaral Court to retorn them * * hat if anney
men will bee at Charges to petesion ^ * enaral Court

to obtaien them and doe Recover them * * * will bee at
all the Cost and Charges that ^ * expanded but if thay
Cannot obtain one of * * * thay that doe spend thair time
and money * R them sealves unles the Town doe for-
ther act *

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

The Town have Voted that thair shal bee a pound S *

* * ^ Timothy dormens or Joseph pebodyes houesen *
bee Seat up by anney that will goin to gather to * it at
the Tovvens Cost and Charges

* 1 town meting hild in Boxford the Eaighteenth of
may *97- * hoes John Andrus moderator for the day

Choes John pebody to fame as a Represantetive att the
gr * * * * * rt to bee ceapt and hild the •26* of thispres-
ant month.

*******,,*****^ * william foster to
tack notes of anney dis * * * * by Reson of our disagre-
ing about that wee *****

* 2* of march -96/7 : the Selact men of Boxford whic *

* * * n the year •96- bane layed out a tow[n] high way
from the training place to the norweaft end of thair town
beginning att the training feeld and So a long the path by
Ab * * Redingtons feeld to the wedow Stie[l]ses new feeld
and fo (along) the path to Could water medow Swamp
and fo ouer the Swamp and a long the path to Samuel
pickards new (feeld) now in the posasion of Jonathen
and william foster from the East end of that feeld to the
East end of medow pien Swamp and from thenc one a
norwest Cors on the South Sied of a great valley and
Swamp St7i * * Andover Road to Ipswich : not very far
from Jo * Tilers feeld and fo a long Andouer Road to
Sarg * Chadduckes Corner of his feeld and from thenc *
young moses Tilers beam and so a long the path to na-
thaniell pebodyes hous and so in to a way the proprietars
of nf* nelfons great farm have layed for thair nesesary
Ves

and from the Training field to Thomas pebodyes hous
is * * a half to the beast of our Remambranc if wee wear
n *

[19] At a lawful Town meting hild in Boxford the
10 of may •98* the Town Choes John pebody moderater
for the day *2- the Town Choes John pebody to sarve this
year af a Represantetive for the town of Boxford *3* that
the above S^ pebody shall Ves all fevill means to Recouer
our names a gaien which wee haue lost by misinforma-
tion in Signetiing that wee did not doe our duty in the
maintaining of the minnistrey also to petesion the Court

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706. 61

for the money that we payed that year by Keson of that
misinformation moer then was our Just and Eaquel pro-
portion Compeared with other Towns next to us. also to
petesion the genaral Court for mister Endi coots farm and
Captien gould farm for to payedewtyto Boxford to which
Town wee think thay doe properly belong to : being wonc
giueen to Rowly by the Court and the Cost of the pete-
sion to be at the Towens Charg

At a lawfull Town meeting hild in Boxford the Eai[g]th
of Septem 1 698 the Town Choes Thomas hassen modera-
tor and Choes Leftenant Thomas pearly to Sarve as a
Juryman the next Court at newbury

The Mark of Luke Hovey Jun^ for his Catteland other
Creturs is as folio weth (viz) a Croop of the Right Ear &
a hole threw the Same Ear Entred May the •14^^^ 1739

[20] At a Lawful town meting hild in Boxford the
•3^* of Jenewary 98/9 The Town Choes Sargent hazen
model ator for the day Voted

the Tow[n] Voted to Choes 5 men to bee a Com-
mety to Carey on the work of bidding and finnishing of
our meting houes •2* it is also Voted that Euery man in
the Town shall have liberty to doe as much work in bidd-
ing and finneshing of the meting hous as will Come to
thaier Shear Exsepting the money peart and theas 5 men
shall Seat the pries that euery man f hall have for the work
that hee shall doe a bout the meeting hous -d* that this
meeting hous shall bee mead fit for to bee Raised by the
10^’^ of June nex infewing : also to bee finnished by the
first of Jenewary next insewing or Sowner if it may bee
Conveniently so dun

4 that theas *5* men that bee our Commety to Carey on
the meting hous shall have -3* Shillings a day from the
first of march to the first of novembr : and then half a
Crown a day teell the first of march following : and thes
•5* men Chosen for our Commety to Carey on the meting
hows thair names bee as followeth Ensien John pearly
Corperal Thomas Andrus Sargent Thomas heazen Cor-
poral daniel wood and Josaph head be the Commety aboue
sd- 5th. Town have agred and voted that the Selact men
for the time beeing shall mack a reat or Reats for to Raies
money as need shall Requier from tiem to time for to

62 BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

Carey on the work of finnishing the meting hoiis tacking
thair deraction from the Commety how much thay shall
Rais from tiin to time voted

The Selact men of Boxford in the year 1698 the *5^^'
of Awgost mad a Reat of twenty one pound one Shillien
and '3^* or thaier a bouts and delivered it to william wot-
son Constabel of Boxford and ordered him to paye -18^
of said Reat to the Country tresurer and the Reast of it
to Josaph haill for the Ues of the Town : as attest John
pebody one of them and Town Clark

the Selact men a hove mead a nother Reat sum time
in Jenawery folowing which doth a mount to the sumb
of 30^-14^-07^ or thair a bouts and orderad the Constabel
william wotson to pay thoirty pounds of it to The County
Tresurer and the oner plush to deliver to the selact men
for the Ves of the Town as attest John Pebody Town
Clark and one of the Selact men for the year 1698* in
the Town of Boxford

also the selact men of Boxford mead a Town Reat the
•24* of fabewary 1698/9 which Reat a mounted to the
Slime of fouerten pound Eaightten Shillings and ten penc
and orderad the Constabel william watson to gather S^
Reat and deliver it to the Selact men then in being for
the ves of the Town also to make up his accounts with
the Selact men by the tenth of September next folowing
as attes John pebody one of the Selact men and Town
Clark

This last Reat was deliuerad to Samuel Simonds to
gather becaes m^ wotson had neglacted it and pledad much
infermity so that the whol Reat was in danger to be lost :
whearfoer the Selactmen took the list from s^ wotson and
writ it over a gaien Every mans Just * rn in a nother sheet
of Paper just as thay wear in ni^’ watsons list and deliv-
erad this list to m^ Samuel Simonds the then Constabel of
Boxford

[21] At a legal Town meting hild in Boxford the 3*^
of fabewary 1698-9

first The Town Choes Ensien pearly moderator for the
day

alfo the Town Choes five men to bee a Commety to
agree with workmen to buld and finish a meting hous in

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

the Town of Boxford and to mack a galery in it and a
pulpit as good as topsfiles and rnak seats both for the
lower Rouem and galeries fofisiant for the wholl hous

Sacondly the Town did agree volentarery and vnane-
musly did Vot to Raies money to paye the work men that
the Commety a boue s^ shall agree with to buld and fin-
nish our meting hous and Raies money as much as will
bee needfull to paye the work men for bidding and fin-
nishing of the meting hows : and what money is needfull
the Town doth agree to Raies at three times : the first
payment is to bee the twentieth of may next : and the
Sacond payment is to bee by the next Cresmus after the
deat hear of and the third payment to bee when the whol
work is fully finnised and the Town to bee att the Charges
of Raiesing the meting hous and to satesfy the Commety
for what Charges thay shal nasasareyly bee att in dis-
charging thair trust Reposad in them and the Commety
that the Town have choes att this tiem bee as foloweth
Josaph Andrus Corperal Josaph Bixbe Corperal daniell
Wood John Earns and Zecheus Cortes and thay bee not
to promies a boue Six Scoer pound which is acording to
what was oflferad and to bee payed att three destinkted
payments as a boue s^ : voted.

At a legal Town meting hild in Boxford the 14^'^ of
march 98/9 first the Town Choes Corperal Josaph Bix-
bee modarator for the day : 2* Clark Simonds is Chofen
Conftable for the year insewing voted -S* the selact
men bee as foloweth LeT*^ pearly John pebody John An-
drous John Ames william pebody voted for the year in-
sewing and to bee assesars -J* william foster Sener is
Chosen tithing man for the year insuing alfo have Choes
Ebennezer Tiler Thomas Wilkins Abraham Radington
Servaiers of hy Avaies for the year in fewing •5* Thomas
Radington and John Stiels fenc Vewars this year, also
Epharam Cortis is Chosen to same on the grand Jurey
this yer : also »Tosiah Bridges is Chosen to Sarve on the
Jury of trials att next Court to be houlden att Epswich
after the deat hear of Voted also John pebody is Chosen
Town Clark for the year insewing also the Town Choes
*5* men to be a Commety to fiend the moest sutabel place
to set our meting hous in and the names of the men bee as

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

foloweth Insien Juett Captiii greenlef Captiii goodhew
Captiii Asgood and doctor dean then saveral being gone
wee came to (>ontrevart a bont the legallety of such a
work to be dun '2* oners in the night when many was
gon : yet them that wear leaft did prosed to Chous -5*
men to be informers of the s^ Commety and thayer in be
Leften perly Sargent Chadduck Josaph Andrus Zacheus
Cortis and John pebody

16*^^ may *99- the Town Choes John pebody to sarve as
a Representative for the year *99* also to manieg thair
petesion for the two farmes that did belong to gouernor
Endicot and Zecheus gould

[22] At a legal Town meting hild in Boxford the 19^^'
of June 1699 the town Choes Corperal Josaph Bixbee
moderatar for the day

At a legal Town meting hild in Boxford the 18^'^ day of
Septembr 1699 : the Town Choes John Andrus modera-
tor for the day : allfo moses Tiler to sarve as a Juryman
next Court at newbery alfo the Town Choes five men to
bee a Commety to determen a pon the most sutabelles
place to seat our meting hons in for to a Comadat onr
Towen for the most Conveniency of the town in Jenaral
the names of the Commety be nehamyah Jneat Captin
Rayment docter dean decon noulton Sargent Epharam
Stevens.

At a Town meting hild in Boxford the •22* of Sep-
tember 99 : the Town Choes John Andrus moderrator for
the metinof : also the Town voted to stand to the detar-
menation of the Commety that was (Chosen on the Eaight-
tenth day of this Enstant Septembr or the mager peart of
them in a greeing a pon and stating of a place whear our
meting hous shall stand : also voted to Satesfy the a bove
s^ Jentil men for thaier paiens in Reson and the Town
Choes Leftenant pearly and Corperal Thomas Andrus to
Enviete the a bove s^ gentilmen for this servis and the
IJte^th of march -98/9* the Town have Choes Leftenent
pearly Sarent Chadduck Josaph Andrus Zecheus Cortis
and John pebody to inform the a bove s^ Commety how
the Town lyeth and for lenth and bradth

•27* of April *99* the Selact men of Boxford mead a
Reat for the Charges of the meting hows amounting to

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

the sumbe of : 31^ — 08 — 08* as the Country Reat is Raised :
also the seam men mead a Reat Containing : 10* — 19 — 03*
at the Seam tiem and Raised it on vacant land lying in our
town ship and deliverad both the a bove s^ Reats to Con-
stabel Simonds to gather and deliver the mone}' to , Cor-
poral wood : af attest John pebody Clark B'J’t

in Augost ‘OO* the Selact men mead a Reat of 19* —
10® — 00 and did deliver it to Constable Simonds and
ordered him to pay Eighteen pound of it to deliver to
the Contry tresurer and the Reast to deliver to the Se-
lactmen for the ues of the Towne as attest John pebody
on of the Selactmen and Town Clark

•22* desambr *99* the selact men mead a Reat of 38* —
12 — 00 to paye the Town deals and deliver it to Consta-
bel Simonds to gather and ordered him to deliver the
money to Corperal wood and John pebody as attes John
pebody

the Selact men of Boxford mead a Town Reat the *29*
of desambr 1699 : amounting to the surne of •38* pound
•12* or thair a boiites and orderad the constabel to Ceary
•30* pound of it to Corperal daniel wood and *8* pound
12® to Jhon pebody for the ues of the towne as attest
John Pebody

The Commety Chosen the •18^*^* day of Septembr *99*
to Steat a plac to set our meting hous in Came on the
•3^* and on the forth day of October 1699 and a Cordingly
vewed both the phases nominat to them by the in formers
and have shewed thair opinion of the plac which they did
think most Conueniant for the Town in genarall to set a
I meting hous in and hear is a Copey of thair a ward in
I that matter as foloweth wee whose names are subscribed
I being Chosen by the towne of Boxford a Commety to
; detarmine vpon the moest sutabele Place to set thair met-
I ing hous in to accomedat s^ towne in genaral as apperath
: by thair Town Voat brought to s^ subscribers by Leften-
I ent pearly and Corpral Thomas Andrus wee being meatt
I a pon the third and torth daye of Octobr *1699* att the
hous of s^ pearlyes wear attendad by the Commety ap-
pointed by this Towne for information how the Towne
lyeth and the inhabitanc seatad to wit Leften pearly Sar-
gent Chadduck Josaph Andros Zecheus Cortis and Leften

66 BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

John pebody who gave us full Information with Respact
to the premisies as weal as meny others persons ot s^
towne whoe wear presant whicli after hering all the de-
bates and pleas pro & Con : with Respact to the promises
that the opisit parties mead : vewing of the s^ places
offered for our Confedarations with Respact to ye setting
of s^ hous wee haue Concludad and detarmined that s^
meting hous will stand most Conveniant to accomedat s^
Towne in Genarill on a small hill in the Land of Abra-
ham and Thomas Radington whear a stump stands with
stoens layed a pon it vpon the northerly sied of the thorn
bushes and meting of two waies : which stump and stones
wear shewed to us by s^ Thomas Radington : In testi-
money that it is our determination with Respact to the
premises wee hane hear unto set our hands the day and
year a bove written :

Nehamiah Jewett

this is a trew Copey taken out of William Rayment

the Enftrument drawen up by s^ Philemon dean

Commety to be thair determination Nathaniell Knoulton

Conserning the most Sutable plac

for to accomedat the Town in

Genarell as attest John Pebody

who copeiad it out Town Clark

Whear af the Town of Boxford have Chosen a Coni-
mety to Steat a place to feat our meting hous in : and a
Cordingly the Commety have been vewing the places pro-
posad to them by the informars and have also detarmined
a pon a place near to the thornbushes uppon the Land that
now is in the posasionof Abraham Radington and Thomas
Radington and thay both lovingly and freely have given
grantted and doe by thes presants give grant and Con-
fearm to the Town of Boxford a parsel of Land for the
ves of the Town for to seat thair meting hous on so long
as the Town shall have ocation to Emprove the said land
for a meting hous to stand vppon the said land the first
bounds is a tree wich is Ensien dormans Corners bounds
and so northwardly fiften Rod to a smal whight oack
marked from thenc Eastwardly ten Rods to a grea[t]
Rock with stons layed a pon it : and from thenc South-

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

wardly thorten Rod and a half to a Read oack tree marked :
and from thenc Eaight Rods westwerdly to the first
bounds : and this a hove said land lyeth a Joyning a pon
the twalve Rod broad Road which Runneth from the Thorn
bushes to the other Road which lyeth from Andover to
Topsfild : and for the trew performanc of what is a boue
written wee the a bove said Abraham Radington and
Thomas Rading[ton] doe biend our sealves our haiers
Exsecotars administrators and assiens not to molest the
Town so long as the Town shall have ocation to emprove
the s^ land for a meting hous : and in testimony of what
is a bove written wee the a bove s^ Radingtons have seat
tow our hands this twenty-thord of October -1699*

witnes Abraham Redingtoni

Joseph Byxbei Thomas Redington

John Andrew^

At a legal Towne meting hild in Boxford the Eaith day
of desamber 1699

1. the Towne Choes Josaph hale moderator for the
day

2. the Towne voted that the Selact men now in being
Shall Call all the Constabels to an account that have not
yet giveen an a count of all the money layed in thair
saveral Rates deliverad to them by the Selact men Re-
spactively in thair saveral years : it is to be vnderstod
that all the Constabels that have not clerad thair accounts
and payed the money whear thay have ben orderad by
the selact men :

also the town have Choes Zecheus Cortis and John
Eames for Colactars to demand and gather all the money
that the Selact men of Boxford have assesed and layed a
pon men liveing out of our town for land lying with in
our town which thay that ouen such land doe Refues to
pay with of Sewt : also fuch men as live with in our
town that Refues to paye what is layed a pon them for
thair vacant land that is Rated to the Charge in bueld-
ing of our meting hous in Boxford.^

1 Autographs.

2 This paragraph was the eight lines crossed out in the original and referred to
in the second paragraph below.

68 BOXFOKD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

Aalso the Town of Boxford have voted for and mead chois
of Zecheiis Cortis and John Eames for Colacters and the
Town doth Emprove them and also hear by Empower them
to gather and Resaive of the sevaral sums of money that
is lavied by waie of Reat apon persons that have vacant
Land in thair land lying with in the Township of Boxford
wich is Raised for to discharg the Charges arising for
buldino: and finnishing of a metino: hous in Boxford also
the Town doth give them full power to sew for and Re-
cover of anney person or persons that shal Ether neglact
or Refiies to pay thair several Sumbes of money assesed
on them by the selact men of Boxford both of persons
liveing with in our Town also the a hove said Cortis and
Eames be hear by inpoward to sew for and prosecut anney
person or pearsons that thay Shal have ocation to Com-
menc anney Snet or Sutes against from Court to Court
teall the Canes or Caneses bee Endid and what money thay
shal gather or Resaive of pearsons for Reals as a hove s^
tha}^ bee hear by orderad to deliver to Corperal daniel
Wood for the ves of the Town to wards the meting hous
Charges in boxford

thes *8- liens a bove that stand Crosed wear worded by
the tow Colectors a bove named and when they had Con-
sedarad weal of them they them selves did not liek to
have them stand as thair orders to goe by in that servis
but had them Crosed out becaues thay wear not worded
to thair miends and then worded the folowing orders to
stand for the Town act to impower them in the discharg
of thair offis of gathering all the money of persons in
Towen and out of towen that wear in the Real deliverad
to them to gather as attest John pebody Town Clark

according to a Town voat the Selact men sent to call
the Constabels to a Racning and have Racned with Con-
stabel wotson and fiend him 01^ — 04® — 7^ behiend of
which money we have giveen him *6®* 7^ for his trubel
he hath bee[n] at and wee have ordred him to pay Eaigh-
ten shilling to John pebody for the ves of the Towne :
also Eaight shilling and six penc dew from Constable wat-
son to the Towen for so much that hee gatherad of a Town
Reat deliverad to him and hath deliverad the Real to the
selact men agaien this *22’ of desamber *1699- on the

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706. 69

Condesion he pay the whol sumes of money to the a hove
said pebody

the 12^^ of march 1699/1700: first the Town Choes
E[n]fien hazen moderator for the day Voted

allfo the Tow[n] Choes Josaph haill Constabel for the
year ensuing voted also the selact men and assesars bee
as foloweth Ensien Pearly Sargent Josaph Bixbee Josaph
Andrus Josiah Bridges and Corperal Josaph Pebody bee
selact men the yer insuing : also william foster Thomas
Radi ng [ton] Corperal Kimbol bee Chosen Tithing men :
for the year in Sewing : also the Town Choes «John Stiels
moses Tiler and Thomas wilkens and david wood bee
Chosen Servaiers of hy waies for the yer in sewing : also
Abraham Radington and John Buswell fenc vevvars voted :
also Corperal daniel wood is Chosen grand Jury man for
the year insewing : also Timothy dorman to sarve on the
Jury of trials this nex Court at I[)swich

also the Town voted that the vacant land Reat that is
deliverad to Zecheus Curtis and John Eames for to gather
shall bee payed forth with : which Reat was mead the
•29^^ of desamber 1699

att a Legal Town meting hild in Boxford the *8^^* of
may 1700: the Town Choes Leftenant pearly and John
pebody to searve as Represantius this year in sewing and
to searve by torns one att a time voted : also that John
pebody shall attend to manieg the petesion lying in Court
thow hee stay noe longer which hath a promis of a hear-
ing the sacond fryday of next sesions and to bee al-
lowed by the Town what money hee shal Expend in pro-
curing of Copies of Records to mack apper our Just
writes a Cording to the genaral Courtes grants both tow
Ipswich and Rowly from which Towens wee did both
proseed oreganally and whot other Charges shal bee need-
ful in the manigment of our petesion now lying in Court
wee whoes names are vnder written being Chosen by
the Town of Rowly on the one part and by the village of
Rowly on the other peart to a gree abovt a parting liene
j betwixt the Town of Rowly and the Villiag being meet to
j gather the seventh of July 1685 : do agree as foloweth
! that the middel bound shall bee whear the foout Path
! Esueth out of the Cart path not far ofe the bridg going
I ouer the great medow and from the said middel bounds

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

to a forked whit oack neear the medow formerly layed
out to Elder Rainer being a bound of that peart of the
said medoo that feall to Captiii whippel one a devision :
and is also the Corner bound of a persil of land layed out
to Ezecal northen being by Estemation a bout forty acors
and so going on the Same liene Straight to Ipswich lien
and from the a hove said tree of a Straight lien to the
South weast Corner of the three thowsand acors which is
a whit oake marked with ‘R* and I and so from the Said
tree north ward on a lien betwixt the three thowsand acors
and land layed out to mistris Rogers and John pickard
teall you Come to a whit oake marked with -S* K be-
ing the Corner bound of John pickards land standing in
the lien betwixt bradforth and the vileg : wee forther
agree that the inhabitance of the village shall be free from
all Reats for time to Come to the Town of Rowly Ex-
septing twenty shillings in silver to bee payed by Josaph
Bixbee sener John pebody william foster Samuell Simonds
and mosis tiler yearly to anney of the Commety whiel
thay have no orthodox minister setled in the village and
forther it is agreead that all the Coman land lying with in
the village undeuided shall Remaien to belong to the town
of Rowly Exsepting the fearm Commenly called the min-
nisters farme with in the villeag : and anney thing that is
dew to the Country for land lying in the villiag is to bee
paied by the in habitants of the villeage in Comformation
of what is a hove written both pearties have seat tow
thair hands the day and year a bove spesified

Ezecal Jueat
John hopkins
John layton
Robart Eames

this is a trew Copey taken out
of the Enstrnment of a greement
betwen Rowly and the villiag in
the day that Rowly seat the villiag
thair bounds a cording as the
ofeneral Court did order

Josaph Bixbee
John Jonson
John Pebody
Samuel plates Juenr
Samuel Simonds
Ezecal 1 northen
william foster
daniell wicom
mosis Tiler
John Trumboll
Stecphen myheall

attest John pebody Town Clark for Boxford

wee whose names are vnder written being appointed by

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

the Towne of Rowly may the 11^^ 1699 to Tmpower the
Towne of Boxford to settell Bounds with the Town of
Salem Topstild Andover and Bradford or aney other that
the Township of Rowly formerly granted waf Bordering
apon wee do fully and Ahsoliitly Grant and give to the
Towne of Boxford as full Power to Settell anney bounds
or Run any Lien or lines with anney Towne or Townes
farme or farmes that was formerly Adjoyning to the bounds
of the Towne of Rowly befoer that Boxford had the grant
of a Township and what Power wee formerly had or still
have : we Resigne vp our sole power to Boxford Towne
to transact in anney such besines as if wee our Sealves
wear actuelly Possesad of said Township of Boxford as
formerly wee wear : al wales Resarving to our sealues the
Comen land that lyeth in the village vndevided as may
appeare by an a greement bearing deat the seventh of
July one thowsend six hundred and Eaighty hve and the
payment of the twenty Shillings per annem in Silver Ex-
prased in s^ agreement by Josaph Bixbe sener John Pe-
body William foster Samuell Simonds & mosies Tilealr
sener & to bee paied by them to the Towne of Rowly or
thaier orders whiel Boxford have aid otherdox minister
setled a mongst them with the three pounds that will bee
dew the saventh of July next and already orderad to
Capten Wicom dated may 1699: by daniell wicom
Josaph Boyenton & Samuell plats of Rowly and Con-
firmed at a Legall meeting of the Towne of Rowly P an
act of s^ Town may 16^‘^ 1699 : this is a trew Copy taken
out of the Towne booke of Rowly as attest Josaph Boin-
ton Clark for Rowly

this is a trew Copy of that Enstrewment that the Towne
of Rowly gave to vs of Boxford syned and attested to by
Josaph Bointonclark of the Towne of Rowly and copied out
by John pebody as attest John Pebody Clark for Boxford
Wee whoes names bee hear to subscribed being ap-
pointed by Ipswich & boxford Respactively to preamilat
j the bounds beetwen s^ townes met this day being the
I of Aprill *1700* and the Mowing bounds are them which
; are the standing bounds beetwixt the Townes first be-
! gining at the Swamp Called the Ash Swamp whear thair

72 BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

is a heap of Stones l)y a path sied vpon the weast Sied ot
s^^ Swamp : thenc Riming westwardly of *s^* swamp to a
littel whit oack bush with a heap of stons a bout it : thenc
Riming on the same lien to a heap of stons : thenc Run-
ing on the same liene to two Read oack trees with Stones
by them and sum Stones placed betwixt them : thenc
Runmg upon the same lien to a heap of Stons upon a Ridg
by a medow sied Collad pearlyes meedow thenc Runing
on the same lien to a heap of Stones in Leftenant Thomas
Pearlyes fild that hath a walnut bush in the heap of Stones
thenc to a lopt whit oack that is dead with stones a bout
it thenc on the same lien to a makt Read oack with a heap
of stones a bout it thenc on a straight lien to an appeltree
in Thomas pearlys field as witnes our hands : Abraham
how : John Pearlay : William howlet : Thomas pearlay :
this is a trew Copey of the Retorn of the Commety that
did sentel the bounds betwen Ipswich and Boxford so far
as s*^ towns Joyen togather and sined thair doing thair in
the of Aprill *1700* as attest John pebody

Clark for Boxford

At a legall Towne meting hild in Boxford the •21* of
September 1700

the Towne Choes Ensien Pearly moderator for the
meeting :

•2* the Town Choes John Eames to Sarve on the Jury
of trials next Court at newbery also Chos John Eames
to mack a pound in that end of the Town whear hee lire-
ath and seat it vp by quarster master Tilers beam [[or
near to it in that Road|| : also the Town did appoint that
thear should bee a nother pound mead and seat it vp be-
twen Corperal pebody es hous and Timothy dormans hous
II or in com other plas in that Road as may be conveniant|| ;
and have Choes John pebody to see that this pound bee
mead by may nex also the Towne Choes Ensien pearly
to see that thair bee a nother pound mead and seat vp by
Josaph haiels hous ||or near thairabouts|| whear it is al Redy
Voted to bee mead: thes three plases bee a lowed of by
the Towen for the ||Eas and|| benifit of the whol and voted

At a le^al Town meting hild in Boxford the of

October 1700 the Towne voted to send Ensien John pearly
II and II Clark Simons to inviet nP Simes persons m^* Capen

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

barnit : to come to our towen and to afoerd us thair halp
in keeping a day of prayer to Seek the Lord for his bias-
ing in our Colling of a minnister to dispenc the word of god
amongst vs in Boxford : also the Towne Voted to satisfy
thos men that shall Entertain the minestars || & thair at-
tendanc|| : that shall Come to aford vs thair halp in the s^
day also the Towne Choes Ensien pearly Leftanent pearly
Clark Simonds Sargent Andros and John pebody to bee a
Commety to meet with a Commety sent by order otthe gen-
aral Court to vew the liens betwen Topsfild and Boxford :
also to inform them as weall as thay Kean whear the liens
betwen Topsfield and Boxford [are] or oute to bee a Cord-
ing to Court grant or otherwaies setled also to act in the
Townes behalf what thay shall see needfull for the good
of the Towne in that affaier a Cording to the trew intent

of the genaral Courts order : voted

The selact men of Boxford being meat to gather on the
17^^ day of July 1700 haue a greead that the hy way shall
Contenew as it is Vesad for that End from the Road by
william fosters feild a long to Rowly bouends near to a
hill Colled tobacovv pip hill as witnes our hands the se-
lact men of Boxford Josaph Bixbee

this is a trew Copey of what Josaph pebody

was giveen in to bee | Re- Josaph Andrus

corded as attest John pebody
II town II Clark for Boxford

wee the selact men of Boxford being meat to gather on
the nienth day of September 1700 have a greead that a
hy way shall ly and Contenew from the meting hous as
straight as the ground will most Convenantly alow of to
the vpperend of the medow that lyeth a littel way below
the wedow pebodyes new mill and so over the broock to
the bounds of the land betwen the wedow pebodyes land
and Josaph heals land and so a long upon thair bounds to
Andover hy way part upon the wedow pebodyes land and
peart upon Josaph heals land : as witnes our hands the

selact men of Boxford

this is a trew Copey of what was
giveen in | to bee Recorded as attest
eTohn pebody town | Clark for Box-
ford

John pearly
Josaph Bixbee
Josiah Bridges
Josaph pebody
Josaph Androus

74 BOXFOKD TOWN RECOKDS, 1685-1706.

wheat’ as the Commety have Ingined the Carpenders to
fill our meting hous with seats as andover meting hous is
filled and upon the townes desier the Commety have Re-
lesad the Carpenders of that Oblygation as to seting of
the meting hous and do leave it to the descration of In-
sien John pearly and Clark Samuell Simonds with the
Carpenders to fill the meting hous with seats as thay shall
see Caues to the towns beast advantage : This was agjreead
to and Voted by the Towne at a Town meting hild the
.4th. Qf October 1700 in Boxford new meting hous

The Selact men of l|Boxford|| Being met to gather on
the •17‘^^* of July 1700: wee have a greead that the hy
waye Shal ly and Contenu for that ves from francos Eal-
lit his hones unto the mill path as it is now improved and
as the trees aer marked and so one to Crooked pond
broock and so on as the trees aer marked to the Eadof of

the long plaien from thenc straight over s^ plaien
unto the fishing broock a littel a bove the pout hooel and
so on to the Road Comming out of the feeld by Timothy
dormans beam s^ Road to ly one peart vpon said dormant
land and peart on Corperal Josaph pebodyes land and so
on vnto the meting hones : as witnes our hands the selact
men of boxford

this is a trew Copey of what John pearly Josaph Bixbe
was giveen | in to be Re- Josiah bridges and
corded as attest John Pe- Josaph Andrus
body I Town Clark for Boxford

At a legal Town meting hild in Boxford the 9*^*^ of Jen-
ewary 1700/1701 the Town Choes Ensien pearly moder-
ator for the day :

allfo the Town Voted to give an Envitation to m^
Thomas Simes to bee our minister if it pleas god to in-
clien him to take vp with our invitation and what wee can
give also the Towne have Choes Corperal daniel wood and
Corperal Thomas pearly to goe to Cambridg and Carey
the Towns Vot and declaer it to m’^ Simes and bring the
Town his answer whether hee will Exsept of it or not or
other wies :

also the Towne have Resaived the meting hous this day
of the Commety and carpendars to full satisfaction a
Cording to bargin :

At a legal Town meting hild in boxford the 15“^ of

O O

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706. 75

Jenewary 1700/1701 : the Town Choes Sargent Thomas
Andrus moderator for the meeting : also the Town voted
to Choues a Commetv to treeat with the Indians a boujjht
thaier demand of money for onr Town being with in the
tract of land the Indians have claimed to beelong to the
Sagemoer of aggowam which also thay have proved thay
bee the grand Children of the s^ Saggamoer : the Com-
mety chosen for this sarvis bee as folow

Ensien pearly Leftenant pearly John pebody Ensien
heazen Josiah bridges the Toun haue agreead and voted
that this Commety ||or the major part of them|| have full
power to a gree with the Indians in order to thair demand
both for quantety of money and for the time when it shall
bee payed also have voted to levye and Raise the money
preporsanebly upon all the land with in our township
The 16^^ of Jenewary || 1700/1701 1| the Commety a
Cording to the Towns order have a greead with Samuel
English the grandson of Mascanomenet Sagemoer of ag-
gawam Conserning his titel to our town : and wee have

tacken a deed of him from bradford bounds to Ipswich
River and from wils hill to Ipswich lien a Cording to the
Court grant to Rowly : and wee have given him Eaight

pound of money and all thair Charges wdiich is about nien
pound and fouer shillings in the whol

and hear is an account of what Each man layed down to
mack vp the sum Ensien pearly -01-06-00 Leftenant per-
ly -01-10-00 Ensien heazen 02-00-00 John pebody -01-04
-00 and david wood lent the Commety -02-04-00 and Lef-
tenant pearly on pound in vittels and drink -01-00-00 and
*5* Shillin and 6^ for acknowlegment of the deed -00-05-06
about the 10^*" of October 1701 : Josaph foster brout Jo-
saph Inglish and John Vmpee to set thair hand to a quit
Cleam and Resaived of John pebody two Shillings and six-
penc in Siluer and Rum and vittels Enouf

alfo John pebody payed in^ Adington 3® for writing the
quet dame that thes tow Indians sined untow

the -2^-04® lent by david wood is payed agaien. thir-
ten Shiling and sixpenc by Josiah bridges and *5®. shilling
he payed of it for his father and himself for thair owen
Shaer and by John pebody one pound live Shillings and
Sixpenc so that the -2^-4® is payed agaien

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

To all People to whom these pvesants Shall Come Sam-
uell Inglif h an Indian the grand son and heair of mascau-
nomenit the Sagemor of agawom in the County of Essix
in newingland sendeth greeting Know yea that I the
Samuel Englif h Good and fofesiant Resons and Consedara-
tions mouing me thaier vnto and for the full and Just sum
of nien pounds of Corent money of newingland trewly
paied unto mee the s*^ Samuel English the Resept whear of
I doe hear by acknowleg in full of all Rightes of Indian
claimes and titels what so ever by Ensin John pearly Left
Thomas pearly Ensigen Thomas hazen Left John pebody
and Josiah bridges a Commety and agents for the Town
of Boxford in the County of Essix in the provenc of the
massechusets in newingland whear with I the s^ Samuell
English doe hearby acknowleg mysealf fully Satisfied
payed and Contented for Euer Haue giueen granted bar-
genad Sould. and Confarmed and doe by thes presants
fulley freely and absolutly giue grant bargen seall and
Confirm for Euer vnto them the s^ John perly Thomas
pearly thomas hazen John Pebody and Josiah Bridges and
to as many others of the proprietars and inhabetanc of s*^
towne of Boxford as Shall well and trewly paye vnto the
aboue Commety at or befoer the first day of May next
insewing the deat hear of thaier dew and respactive
Shears and proporsions of the sum of money a boue said
and all other charges Expen dad by s^ Commety in and a
bout the same to thair dew Satisfaction a Sertin tract of
land Containing by Estimation twelve thowsend acres be
the contants thair of moer or bee thay leas knowen by the
name of the township of Boxford in the County a foer f ^
being a butted and boundeed northerly by a marked pien
tree on the southerly sied of marimack River which is the
Corner bounds and then the lien Runs by the marked trees
that aer betwen andouer and Boxford and Southerdly as
the trees a Cordingly are marked betwen Andover and
Boxford as it hath bien preamilated tell it Come to the
Eaight miel tree So Called which is a bound mark beetwixt
s'^ Andouer and s*^ Boxford and Southwardly to a whit
oack tree which is the bounds betwixt wills hill men and s'^
boxford and then southerdly to a wield pear tree or box
tree Standing by Ipswich River Sied and then Eastward-

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

ly as the Riuer Runs tell it meet with Ipswich Lien which
lien doth Extend Six miels from s^ Ipswich meting
house and then upon a straight Lien tell it Com to an appel
tree that is in Leften peaiiyes feild marked and then it
Runs with Ipswich Lien vntel it meat with Rowly Lien
near Calip Jacksons and so teall it Com to a whit oack in
Bradford Lien as it is setled beetwixt Boxford and Rowly
and then westwardly teel it meet with the pien tree first
mensioned parting betwen Boxford and Andover all which
tract of Land in the s^ township of s^ Boxford according
as it is bounded or ought to bee boundad with all the
Lands Soiels Revars brooks streams water waters ponds
fishings huntings wood stoens gras food and all the Rights
profits privilegas Commodites and apportenencies thair
tow belonging or in any maner of waies appertaining to
the same or anney part thair of To haue and to hould to
them the s^ John pearly Thomas pearly Thomas hazen
John pebody and Josiah bridges and to others of the in-
habitants and proprietors of s’^ Towne of Boxford pro-
uoided as is above prouided to them thair haiers Execoters
Administrators and assiens in quieat and pesabel posasion
for Ever in fee Simple a good and sound Esteat of inhar-
itenc freely and Clearly acquitted Relesed and discharged
of all and from all Indian Rights and titels what so Euer that
may bee mead by mee or aney other natiue in this Land
of newingland forther I the Samuell English doe hear-
by Covenant promies and grant to and with the a bove s^
Comety of the Towne of Boxford that at and vntel the in
seling and declaring of theas presants I had good Right
full power and Lawfull athorety to grant and Conveay the
Same and all the premisies as a boue Said : hear by bind-
ing my fealf heairs Exsecotars and Administrators for
Euer to defend the s*^ John pearly Thomas pearly Thomas
hazen John pebody and Josiah bridges and others as is
prouidad accordingly befoer them thaier hairss Exfecotars
administrators and assiens for Euer from the Lawful
Claimes of all pursons what so Euer to the same or aney
part of the a boue mensioned and granted premises in
witnes whear oflf I the s^ Samuell English doe hear vnto
seat my hand and Seeall this Sixtenth day of Jenewary
Seventeen hundrad Seventen hundrad and one and in the

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

twelth year of the Kaien of our Royal Soveran William

“ hiB

the thord ouer England and Kino’

Sined sealad and deliurad
in prasents of vs
Thomas Baker
Josaph fibster
Mosis parker

Samuel CO English

mark

Samuel Englis an Indian apperad
befoer me the subscriber one of his
Majesty es Justises of peac for the
County of Essex and acknowlegad
this Instrewment to bee his act
and deed this sixtenth of Jenewary
1700/1701: Dudly Brodstreet

This is a trew Copey of the Indian deed which Samuell
English an Indian grand son and heair of mafkenominit
Sagemoer of aggawom who Chalenged the Town of Box-
ford to bee part of his grandfathers Land and proued it so
to bee by sevaral Indin testimoney vpon oath and so to
preuant fother trubbel and to Satisfy the Indian natiue
heaier the Town of boxford haue giueen him the full sum
of nien pound in money.

At a legal town meting hild in Boxford the 20*^ of
Jenewary 170G-1701 the Town Choes Leftenent pearly
moderator for the day :

also Choes Samuel Simonds to goe to Cambridg and
accompeny mr Simes to our town

also the Town have voted to Choes •5* men to settel
our inhabetanc of the Town in seating our inhabitenc in
our meting hous a Cording to thair Sivel wrights having
Regard Chefly to Esteats yet soe as to have Respacts to
ould age : the men Chosen for this servis bee as foloweth
Ensien hazen Sargent bixbee Corparal Radington John
Andrus and Jonathan foster

At a legal Town metin hild in Boxford the *11 • of march
1700-1701 the Town Choes Clark Simonds moderator for
the day : also the Town Choes Lef John pebodyto bee
Town Clark for the year infuing

also the Town Choes Josaph hael Clark for the day : ot
this meeting.

also the Town Choes Zecheus Cortis Constabel for the
year infewing

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706. 79

also the Town Choes •5- Selact men for the year in
sewing :

And thair names bee as foloweth Clark Simonds Leften
pearly ||Corperal|| Thomas Radington Corperal Kimboll
and Samuell Smith and to bee assesars

also the Town Choes Abraham Radington grand Jury
man for the year infewing : and Corperal Thomas pearly
to sarve on the Jury of trialf next Court att Ipswich ; also
the Town Choes william foster and Ensien hazen tithing
men for the year also Corperal Wood and John Stielf bee
Chosen Servaiers also Jonathan Bixbee and Samuel foster
bee Chosen fence Vewars for the year in sewing : Whot
is hear a bove written I have Recorded Reseiving it in a
loues paper thow not attested to by the writer of the same
fouer of the Selact men a bove named haue had the
assesers Oath adminstread to them by the Clark of the
Town as the Law diracts in Such Cases as attest John
Pebody Clark thair names bee Thomas Pearly Samuel
Simonds John Kimbol and Samuel Smith Selact men for
the year 1701

A Cording to law the Selact men did administar the
oathes to all the Town officer [s] in Boxford Chosen for
the year insewing as by law thay aer impowred : also the
II town II Clark did administer the oath of ||the|| assesers to
•4* of them namly Samuel Simonds sener daniell wood
Josaph heall and John Stiels for the yer 1702

At a lawful town meting hild in Boxford the -4th- of
Aprill 170* the Town Choes William foster to bee the
moderator for the day : Voted also the Tow[n] voted to
giue to mister Thomas Simes sixty pound in money
yearly for his salery in Keas that mister Simes will bee
plesad to Exfapt of our Invitation to bee our minister and
to tack offis a niongst vs : also buld him a hous of *48*
foot long and *20* foout wied : and tow story hy : and a
back Roouem of *16* or T8* foout Squar and to finnish
the hous by this next October Come twelvemonth and as
much Soouenar as ||Conveniantly|| wee Kean: also to
fiend thirty five Coord of ||wood|| by the year yearly also
to procuer him teen acers of land as Convenantly as wee
Ken not fear from the meting hooues which hous and land
as a bove spesified wee doe giue to mister Simes and his

80 BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

heairs for Ever provided that mister Simes Exsept to
Come and bee oiir miimister and to tack offis a mongst vs :
and the Salery to bee paied so long as hee Shall dispanc
the word of god ||publickly || a mongst vs in Boxford
Voted also wee have voted that m^’ Thomas Simes Shall
have the ves of one half of the pasneag the time hee
Shall bee our minister in Boxford

also the Town Choes -S* men to discoarc with Topsfild
men Conserning a divisanel lien betwixt Topsfild and
Boxford and to see how near wee Caen Come to gather if
it might bee to prevant further trubbell : the names of the
men wee have Choes to doe this sarvis bee John Andrus
Josaph Andrus Sargent Josaph Bixbee Corperal Thomas
perly and John pebody voted

At this tiem when the major peart of the Towen voted
to giue to nfi Simes *35* Cord of wood yearly by the year
then Sevaral men mead objactions a gaienst the alowing
the wood to m^* Simes and did at the tiem Enter thaier
Contrerary desant becaes sayd thay sum men have not
wood to dispoes of but if the Towen see good to mack
the Salery so much the moer as will Com to the wood wee
shall not declien from our share the names of the men
that did Enter thaier Contrary desant bee as foloweth
John Andrus Josaph Andrus Timothy dorman Epharam
Smith and Epharam Cortis Zacheus Cortis nathaniel pe-
body Thomas Andrus

At a legal Towen meting hild in Boxford the *11 • of
march 1700/1701 : the Towen votet that the money that
was disbursed upon the Commety that was Imployed by
the Towen to steat the place whear our meting houes
[should] stand should bee allowed : also the Coushen for
the pulpit to be alowed : also the money that Corperal
Wood Thomas pearly and Samuel Simonds disbrsed in
going to Cambridg for m’' Simes Should bee allowed by
the Towen : also the Towen voted that the *15- Shillings
that was payed for the geer and Ropes to Raies the met-
ing houes should bee allowed : also that goodman foster
should haue five shiling for Cariing the Roopes and blockes
whom a gaien : also voted that goodman bridges should
have Eaight Shillings for the hangings of the meting houes
ceasments : also voted to allow Leften pearly what cost

BOXrORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706. 81

hee was at in provoiding for the Cominety that steated the
place ther the meting hoiis Should stand : also voted that
the Chargis that was Expended a bout the Commety that
the genaral Court sent to vew the liens of Topsfild and
boxford and the tow farmes petesioned for by Boxford
should be alowed by the Towen

What is hear recordid & Resaived in a loues paper thow
not attestid by the writer

At a lawful Town meting hild in Boxford the -21 • of
April 1701

The Town choes Leftanent Thomas perly moderator
for the day

also the Town voted to lay a Reat of -SO* pound and to
bee payed by the first of novembar insewing in Silver or
Short Shingel or boards or naiels or brickes or in procur-
ing a mafon to bueld the Chimneys or in liem as Cheap
as anney of theas thing[s] Can bee bought for in money :
provided that all thos that will procuer anney of the things
above mensenad doe Com to the Commety that the Town
will Choues to Cary on the bidding and finishing of the
hous for the minister with in a month after the deat hear
of and declear whot thay will prouoid : and if thaier bee
not a sofesiancy of the several things a hove mensioned
provoided with in a month as above s^ : then the s^ Com-
mety aer hear by Empoured and desirad to provoid what
shall bee wanting to finish the s'^ ministers hous : and the
Town doe hear by ingeag to paye them in money Every
man his Eaquel shear as shall bee laied in the *50* pound
Reat as a hove s"^ : and now the Town doe prosed to
Choues a Commety as folows

The Commety that the Towne have chosen for the oner
sight of the Carying on of the work of the minnisters
hous II as a foer sad|| : thaier names bee as foloweth : Sar-
gent Thomas Andrus Corperal daniel wood Zecheus Cor-
tis Sargent Josaph Bixbe Josaph haill Jonathan foster
Thomas pearly Juner and Corperal Josaph pebody also
thes men : be to provid what is needful || for the hous a
bove S^ll on the Towns Cost and charge

this Commety || above choesen|| bee to have two shill-
ings and six penc a day when thay work delegently Each
man : thay bee also to keep a trew account of all the

82 BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

worck that is dun a bought the ||minesters|| hous both for
work a bout the sealler and the woals of the hous and
tending the mason and drowing ofRockes and bringing of
Clay or brick: and if anney man Com leat : or if hee
Com Early and worck with a Slack hand : in Eaither of
thes failewers the Commety bee to noet them down : that
so the Town may the batter know how to allow Every
man a Just Recompenc for his work when the hous is
finnished : also Every man in the Town shall have free
liberty to worck out his Eaquel shear Exsepting the mon-
ey part : and all that will provoid his shear in the things
a hove spesified may save his money becaues the money
is to procuer matter for the finnishing the ministers hous :
and the major part of the Commety shall Judg what Each
man shall have a day for his Labor in bulding and finnish-
ing the minnisters hous

the Towen have Regected thes fouerten liens above next
to this lien as trumpery

also the Town have voted to alow mister Thomas Simes
the ves of the whol pasneag farm during the tiem that hee
shall dispence the word of god a mongst us : hee leaving of
it in good tenanttabel Repair or as good as he doth fiend
it : also the town Choes Leften perly and Sargent Bixbe
and John pebody to a gree with m^ Simes a bout the man-
er of paying of his salary and his wood

At a Town meeting hild in may in the year 1701
the Town Choes John Pebody to searve as a Represan-
tetive for the year 1701 att the great and genaral Court
to bee houlden in Boston •28* of may *1701*

At a Legall Towne meting [held in] Boxford the Six-
tenth of Juen 17 *

the Towne voted to send that answer to m'' Thomas
Simes which Leftenant pearly drew up in Answer to a
desier that m^ Thomas Simes sent to the Town to Releas
him from the promis which hee did mack to bee thaier
minnister or the in Courigment that hee had given the
Towne for to bee thaier minister

also the Towne did voat to send to m^ Jonathan dan-
ford and to Run the lien or mesuer from Ipswich meting

^ This paragraph is crossed out in the original.

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706. 83

howes (* * *) thaier Six raields granted by the genarall
Couert to Ipswich which is the bounds beetwen Topsfield
and Boxford by a grant from the genarall Couert to Row-
ly as attest John pebody Clark : and a Cordingly the Se-
lact men sent John Stiels to invight m*' danford to com to
doe the above s^ Servis : and a Cordingly m^ danford and
(his) son ceam and did the searvis and was •4* dayesfrom
thaier whom: for which thay Resaived *2- pound *8®*
of the Selact mennamly of Samuell Smith *9®* and of Cor-
poral Radington *6®* and of Leftenant pearly and Clark
Simons the Reast of the money Leftenan pearlys was
•15®* and Clark Simons paied *12®* and Sargent Josaph
Bixbee *6®* which is the wholl of the 2^ 8® all this was
paied besied Expences wich is set down in a nother place.

At a Town meting hild in Boxford the *24’ of

november 1701 The Town Choes Ensien heazen moderator
for the day also the Town Choes John Pebody to bee thair
Scowel master for the year insewing

Boston desambr *26^^* 1701 Resaived of m^ Zecheus
Curties Constabel of Boxford thirty fouer Pounds fouer
Shillings in full of a warent for the lick sum of thirty
fouer Pounds fouer Shillings Resaived for m"" James Tay-
ler Tresurer by Jaremy Allin

At a lawful Town meeting held in Boxford the 21 of
April 1701 (?)

The Town voted to Record Sum propossals drawen vp
in a looues paper which aer diractions for the Comety to
walk by in bulding and finishing the ministars hous as
foloweth that is to Saye theas liens hd below be the full
Sum and Substanc of what was in the paper a bove s^^

pesesions how to Cary on the bulding and finishing of
a hous for m^ Thomas Simes first to mack Choies of *5.

or *7* men the rCarpentars to bee a Commetty or vn-

dertackers to Carey on the bulding and finishing the a bove
s^ hous which Commety shal be a lowed for thair worck by
the Towen tow shillings six penc per day a peec Euery
of them for Euery day that thay worck at a bout the s*^
hous and also that Euery man a licke in the Town shall
haue liberty to worck out thaier preporsion of thair worck
part in bulding the s^ hous and Euery man shall bee a
lowed for his labor as much a day as the Commety or the

84 BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

major part of them doth judg thay doth Earn or desarue
and the Commety afoer shall keep a trew and just ac-
count of his owen work and tiem that hee spendes a bout
Cariing on of the s^ hones and also of Every other mans
labor being a lowed as a foer s*^ and the Commety a foer
s^ shall give the selact men or trustees of the Towen then
in being when the hous is bult and finished the whol sum
of what the work peart doth amount to soe that it may
bee preporsioned by a Reat and hee that doth not doe
his peart in work shal paye it in such paye as shall an-
swer the End in bidding or finishing of the hous and
hee that doth moer shall bee payed by the Towen and the
Commety a foer s^ Shall have full power to procuer boerds
naiels brickes and glas and what Eals may bee judged
meedfull for the bulding and finnishing of the s^ howes att
the Towens Cost and Charg

wee whoes names bee vnder written being choes to
agree with m^ simes a bout the maner of paying of him
his salary yearly and his wood and a Cordingly wee went
to m^ Simes and did agree with him to beegin his year
with vs the •27‘^* of Aprill 1701 : which was the least
Sabath in Aprill also wee did then agree to pay him fif-
teen pounds Euery quarter of the year and his wood att
tow sesons in the year one half bee brought to his hous
at or befoer the first of July the other half of his wood at
or befoer the first of Jenewary folowing yearly also wee
did agree to haue a Contribusion once a month yearly and
whot is then by the Towen givenen shall bee put in to
papers and to bee Seat ofe for part his Reat wee beeing
Choesan by the Towen of Boxford to doe this seruis for
the Town as appears on Record as witnes our hands this
•25‘h- of Aprill *1701 :

John pebody

* was voted by the Town as attest Thomas Pearly
then(?) * * * Josaph Bixbe

* * * rk of Boxford

Att a legal Towen meting hild in Boxford the •27* of
April 17 ^ *

The Towen Choes Joseph Pebody sener moderator for
the day

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706. 85

also the Towen Choes Lefteiiant pearly Representative
for the year 1702

also the Towen Choes five men to bee a Commety to
meet with Topsfield men to Straigh[t]en the lieen from
Leftenant pearlyes appeltree in Leftanent pearlyes field
to the heep of Stoens and a Stack at the north East Cor-
ner of m"" Backer farm fo Called which lyeth in Boxford
and from thenc to the Dam or Cofweay over hafekey
medow and fo to the filhing broock as the Revelat Runs
in to the fishing brock and so af the fishing broock Runs
in to the River

this Commety above Said have full power to Settel with
Topsfild a Cording as the genaral Court have ordered it to
bee :

and the names of this Commety bee af followeth Insien
John pearly John Androus John Eames Epharam Courtis
and John pebody

Also the Towen voted to give m^ Simes Leberty to Seet
vp a pew in the East Corner of the meeting howes for
his wief to Seet in on the Sabeth day

Also the Towen voted that the Selact men Should lay
a Reat of Six pound in money to by what is wanting to
finnish the ministers howes

At a legal Towen meting hild in Boxford the •19^''* of
Juen 1702*

the Towen Choes Ensien John perly moderator for the
day

the Towen Choes Leftenant Thomas pearly and John
pebody to anfwer Topsfilds petesion att the genaral Court
when the Court will bee plesad to grant Topsfield a her-
ing

the Towen Choes John pebody Sargent bixbee and Jos-
aph heall to draw up a Request to the honerad genaral
Court that thaier may bee a Commety of -3* men to Com
and See the liens Run a Cording to the general Courts
grants both to Ipswich and Rowly

Juen the *24* 1702* at a meeting of the Commety
Chosen by Boxford to Joyen with Bradford selact men to
settel the lien betwen the a bove s^ towens the names of
Boxford Commety wear Leftenant John Pebody and En-
sien John perly Sargent Josaph Bixbee: the names of

86 BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

Bradford selact men wear Corparal Robert haseltien and
Thomas Kimbol and Samuel Tenney thay doe agree that
a (pine?) tree Shal bee the bounds standing a vpon An-
dover lien and so to a black oak tree marked standing
upon the South west End of John Simmonses field and
thane to a whit oack tree marked standing near the Cuntry
Road as it goeth by the hous that was John pickards de-
sesad and from thenc to a white oack tree marked with an
•S’ & a *K* & a P with a heap of Rocks a bout it.

John Pebody Robart haseltin Thomas Kimball John
perly Josaph Bixbe Samuel Tenney : a trew copey as attest
John pebody Clark for Boxford

At a legal towen meting held in Boxford the 10“’ of
march * * * *

the Towen Chos Leftenant pearly moderator for the day
also Chos John Pebody Town Clark for the year in-
sewing voted

also Choes Thomas Pearly Jun Constabel for the year in
sewing voted

and the Selact men bee as foloweth Choes for the year
in sewing Clark Sammuel Simonds Corporal daniel wood
Josaph heall John Andrus and John Stiels also to be as-
sesars for the yer insewing

also Ensien hazen is Chosen town Trasurer for the
year insewing

also Sargent Bixbee and Josiah Bridges bee Chosen
tithing men

also Timothy Dorman is Chosen to Searue apon the
grand Juary the year insuing

also Ensien hazen is chos to saru on the Jury of trials
this next Court to bee houlden at Ipswich

also Jonathan foster and Joseph Pebody Juner bee
Choes Servaiers for the year in Sewing : also the Towen
Choes Thomas Radington and John Buswill feanc Vew-
ars for the year in sewing

also Ensien John pearly and Sargent Josaph Bixbee and
John pebody bee Chose a Commety to seattil bowends be-
twen Bradford and Boxford being hear by fully Impow-
erad by the town for that Searuis alfo to fettel the north
Eastwardly Corner of boxford bounds with Rowly Com-
mety

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

also Choes lefte“‘ John Pebody Scowel master teal a
nother be Chosen in his Rouem

propofales how to procuer teen acors of land for ni'’
Thomas Simes the Towen also giiies to the Selact men
Chosen for the insewing year 1701/2 to agree with the
ouenars and propriators that bweneth the Land that lyeth
betwen Abraham Radingtons hous and ould goodman fos-
ters hous and our meting houes and the Towen gives the
Selact men a hove full power to agree with ouenars of the
s^ land and to give them billes for the payment for the s^
land and also to tack a deed of s^ Land in the Towens be-
half and to give m^ Thomas Simes a deed a Cordingly as
the Towen hath voted vnto m*^ Simes in Ceas hee tacks offis
a pon him to bee onr minister its to bee vnder Stood that
the Towen oblig themsealves to pay the money that shall
bee ingeaged by the Selact men for the Land afoer
whoes names aer as foloweth Samuell Simond Sener dan-
iell wood Josaph halle John Andrus John Stiels : voted by
the Towne of Boxford as attes John Pebody Towen Clark
for Boxford

At a legal Towen meeting hild in Boxford the *21* of
July 1702

1. the Towen Jagread and:|| voted that Leftenant
pearly and John pebody which bee chosen to answer Tops-
tilds petesion shall haue libarty to Improue ||at the Towens
Cost II a man or tow : to assist them in the manigment of
II the II defirenc beet wen Topsfild and Boxford Ralating to
Topsfildes petesion for a nother hering at the genaral
Court The Towen Choes Sargent Josaph Bixbee moder-
ator for this meeting voted

•2* the Towen ||have|| agreead and voted to a low
Eaight Scoer pound towards this houes bult for the min-
nister Eaighty pound ||of it|| in silver money and the other
Eaighty pound in paye as money and this hous is in lew
of the hous that the Towen voted to bueld for m’^ Thomas
Simes bearing date the of April 1701 :

3 : the Towen have a greead and voted ||that|| the Se-

lact men shall deliuer this hous now bult for the minnister
to m*" Thomas Simes in lew of the hous the Towen voted
to bueld for m^ Simes in the condesion that it is now in
with all that is agreead for \\to finnish s^ hous|| upon the
Town voted to give it tow Thomas Simes

88 BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

At a Toweii meting hild in Boxford the 16^*' of Sep-
temi)er 1702.

the Towen Choes Zecheiis Cortis moderator for the day :
also Choes John Eames Jury man for the next Court to be
houlden att newbery.

[The record of the following meeting is by Joseph Bixby.]

At A law Full towen meting held in Boxford Dacember
the 15 : 1702 the tow(n) chos in sin hazzan modarator
for the day alfo the tow(n) chos Four men to tak the full
care Con faming and prouiding For the Fast and ordaine-
atyon of m’" Sims and thar nams be as Folloeth william
Fostar Infin Pearlay Liutanant Parlay Clark Simuns all
fo the tow(n) voted to Pay the charg in that a Faire

[The records are continued by Mr. Peabody, as follows :]

At a legal Towen meting in Boxford the Sixtenth day
of fabewary 1702/3 the Towen Choes willim faster Rep-
resentive for the Towen of Boxford this Sasion or Sa-
sions also John Andrus is chosen moderator for the pres-
ant meting

At a legal Towen meting hild in Boxford the *21* of
July 1702 : the Towen have agread and voted that the
Selact men Shall deliver this hous now bult for the min-
nister to m’* Thomas Simes in lew of the hous the Towen
voted to buld for m’’ Simes in the Condesion that it is
now in with all that is a greead for to finnish 8^ hones
upon the Condesiones the towen voted to give it to m^
Thomas Simes

we whoes names aer undr written doth order m*’ Sam-
uel Simonds to deliver the hous a bove mensioned to m^
Thomas Simes a Cording to Towen voat

daniel wood John Andros John Stiels Josaph hall Selact
men of Boxford

Boxford July *22^^* 1702 : I then Resaived posasion of
the hous bult for mee in this Towen : of m^ Samuel Si-
monds orderad to deliver it to me by the Selact men ac-
cording to the tenner of the Towen vot Refering to Said
house past July *21* in the year a bove said

I say Resaived by me Thomas Simes

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706. 89

Recorded febewary the 19^ 1702/3: by me John Pe-
body II Town II Clark

the Selact men of Boxford beint? met to gather the
25^^ of novembr 1702 to lay out hy waies in the To wen
of Boxford and a cordingly wee have laied out a towen
hy waye from Jacob pearlyes land as the path now leads
from Jacob pearlyes houes to Thomas hazens hous and so
on from the s^ hazenn as the path now is : to the west sied
of a hil by daniel woods houes from thenc to the wast
End of the woods field and on by the feanc Sied to
andovar Road from thenc on a Straight lien to the wedow
pebodyes field and so a long by the fenc Sied to the s*^
wedowes beam thenc on as the path now lieth to the
meting houes this Road is not to Exsed tow Rod wied :
also a nother hy waye beeginning at the open Road this
lyeth to Topsfild and lyeth a cros the Ridges from Tim-
othy dormans land to the north EastCorner of blacks ould
orchard from thenc on a Straight lien to the East End of
a littel hill in blaks field which now belongeth to John
Andrus and Josaph Andrus from thenc a long the ould
path over the hilles called Langlyes hills as the trees be
now marked to the northerly Corner of Samuel Simonds
land and so on southerdly to Samuel Simonds houes and
so thenc to a bridg over fishing broock thenc to a marcked
tree Standing by the fenc thenc ||in|| the most conveniant-
est ground to Epharam Cortises field to tow poplers marked
thenc to the west sied of the s^ Cortises dwelling howes :
and so a long by his fenc as the south west Corner of his
stoen wall ; thenc a long the cart way twelve Rods : thenc
torning south westerdly to a cart waye that goeth ouer the
Swamp a bout twelve Rod a bove the Caswey : thenc a
long by the Swamp as the marked trees lead to the ould
Road and thenc a long the seam Road to the Caswey ouer
II the II Inland medowes thenc to the houes of Samuel Si-
monds Juner

as witnes our hands the selact men of Boxford

Samuel Symonds^
Daniell Wood^
Joleph Hale^

John Stils^

1 Autographs.

90 BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

the selactmen that layed out the hy way from Timoth(y)
dormans feld to yong Samuell Simons hous : haue a pon
sacond thouts and better consedarations mouing them thair
to haue alterad the a boue hy way from a Cart way to
a hors way only :

as attest John pebody Towen Clark who Recorded the
a boue s^ cart way at the desier of the Selact men

also from Jacob pearlyes hous to the meting hous or
hy way by Roburd Stiels hous shal be only a priuet hors
way and the Selact men doe also agree that thaier shal bee
hors geats mead in Epheram Cortises land in fouer places
if thaier be need of so ||maney|| geats in his land: at
the Towens cost also thair shal bee hors geats from Jacob
pearlyes hous to Robard Stieles hous whear thaier shal
be need of anney geats also upon the Towens cost and
charges : which wee Judg dew Recompenc for the land
At a legal Towen meting hild in Boxfor[d] the of
march 1702/3

the Town Choes Ensien Thomas hazen moderator for
the presant meting

also Choes John pebody Towen Clark for the yer in-
sewing voted

also mosis tiler is Chosen Constabel for the year insew-
ing voted

also the Towen have chosen *5* Selact men and thaier
names be as foloweth : John pebody Ensien Thomas hazen
Jonathen foster Samuel Simons ||juenrl| and Timothy
Dorman voted and to be assesars this year

also the Towen have chosen Richard kimbol and Tim-
othy foster to be fenc vewars for the year in sewing :
also the Towen Choes Abraham ||Radington|| anddavid
wood llthayll should bee saruaiors of hy waies for the year
in sewing

also the Towen Choes Corpral Kimbol Jonathen Bixbe
tithingmen for the yer

also the Towen choes Ensien Thomas hazen Towen
treasurer for the yer

also Sargent Bixbe is chosen grand Juryman for the
year in sewing

also Jacob pearly is chossen to Sarve on the Jury of
tryals next cort at Ipswich

also Ebennezer Sharin and Jaremy pearly shal be fild

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706. 91

drivers or hawards for the year insewing al thes men a
boVe mensioned wear voted by the Towen to Searve in
thaier seueral plases that thay be chosen for this next
year in sewing

also the Towen haue Choes *5- men to seat parsons in
the meting hous and thair names be as foloweth john
Pebody Leftenant pearly Sargent Bixbee John Andrasand
Jonathan foster and the Town dothleaue thes men to thair
ouen discrasion and prudenc in the matter : and thoes that
wil not sit in thair seats that thes men shal appoint ||them||
may Justly be coled brackers of : good order : and have a
hen layed upon them that will sit forwerder then thay shal
be seted

also the Selact men Choes for the year in Sewing
II 1703 II have giuen the Towen Clark and the Constabel
thaier oathes to thaier Respactiue ofises : also havegiueen
Jonathan Bixbe Richard Kimbol Timoth[y] foster Abra-
ham Radington thair oathes to thair Respactive ofises
for the year insewing : also Josaph Andrus Commesioner :
Samuel Simonds Josaph heall John Andrus and John
Stiels ye( ?) ould Selact men orderad by the Court to at-
tend the commesioner ||that|| the Towen have chosen to
carey dowen the Town Ratabel Esteat to Salem thair to
be Compared

At a legal Towen meting hild in box ford the 20“^ of
April 1703

the Towen Choes Epheram Cortis moderator for the
presant meting :

also the Towen have Choes Josaph Andrus to be the
Commesinor to Joyen with the leat Selact men to tack a
trew account of al Ratebal Esteat pouls and faccueltyes :
also the Towen have voted to buld a pound and ||to|| set
it vp betwen the meting houes and Abraham Radingtons
houes wher the Selact men shal agree tow : for the ves of
the whoel Towen at the Towens Cost

also the Towen voted to pay John Andrus and Josaph
Andrus *26* Shillings out of the Towen tresurey assouen as
conveniantly may be and in so doing thay doe Consent
that thaier shal be gats set up throw thair land wher thaier
is need of them and if thaier be no damig dun in theier
land in one y ers tiem then thes waies may stand longer

92 BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

the *26* shillings a, bone voted to be payed to John and
Josap[h] Andruses is a cordingly payed to them by Con-
stabel Thomas perly

At a legal To wen meting hild in Boxford the Elaventh
of may 1703 :

the To wen Choes Leftenant pearly moderater for the
presant meting voted

Also the Towen voted to set the minnisters wood at *4*
shillings a cord in money and ol that wil not pay thair
shear of wood must alow after that Rat in money

also the Towen voted that the presant Selact men this
present year 1703 Shall Call all the former constabels and
colectars to an account how thay have disposed of al the
money layed in thaier years for to gather for the ves of the
Towen such as have not alredy discharged what was thair
Just dew to doe

Also the Towen have pased a vot that thay bee Satisfied
with the bargen ||thatl| the Commety mead with |!the||
Indiens namly masconominats sucfesers Samuel Ingles and
Josaph Inglash and John vmpee the grand children of
masconomenat sagemor of aggawom and by thes presants
doe Ratifi the s^ bargin by a uiianimus vot of the Towen

also to pay tow shillings by the hundred moer or les as
the Commety ||a for sad || have alredy preporsioned it:
||also|| voted thair Excptenc of that which is dun in it be
paied for by the towen

also the Towen voted that John pebody and Josiah
Bridges shal be the colectors to gather the money of the
persons [jthat live|| in the ||town|| and of thos out of |lthe|]
towen that have land in the Towen of Every [jone or|j
man his Eaquel share at the Rat of tow shilling a hundred
and proporsinabel for moer or les

also the Towen voted to send Leftenent perly (?) to the
general Court this presant yer 1703 to sarue as a Repre-
sentive for the Towen of Boxford in the great and gen-
aral assembly

also wher as the Towen haue chosen the Selact men for
the year 1703 to call al the constabels and colecters to give
them II an II account of the money orderad them to gather
for the ves of the Towen in thair several years that Each
man sarved : and for what arears aer yet beehien the

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

Towen doth fully Impower the Selact men to Isshevv
out warents to the presant constabel to mack distres upon
II the constables and coleactrs that wer formerly in Boxford||
Constabel or Constabels Colecter or Colectares for what
money thay have not gathered which was by law Kecover-
abel in their Respactiue years

also for what money thay haue gatherad which is not
Improved for the ues and banifit of the Towen Ijas it
should haue ben don|l ; thay obsarvingthe diraction of the
law in tha prosedings in al such affaiers which will bear
them harm les voted

Resaived of Zecheus Cortis former constabel of Box-
ford the Sum of Six pounds tow Shillin and tow penc in
Cash it being so much commeted to him by the Selact
men of Boxford to Colact for the County of Essix 10"'° :
17 day 1702

Resaived by John Appelton

County tresuerer

a trew copy

At a legal Towen meting hild in Boxford the •21* of
Juen 1703 :

the Towen Choes Josaph Andrus moderater for the
day voted

also the Towen have Choes *5* men whoes names bee
af foloweth Leftenant pearley Zecheus Courtis John pe-
body ||Ensien thomas hazen|| Zarubbebel Endicot and
John Eames : which aer a Commety fulley Impowred to
a gree if thay see Caues : with a Commety Chosen by
Topsfild a bout the bouends betwen the Towens and if
thes Commeties doe not a gree then wee doe Impower our
Commety to Joien with Topsfilds Commety in the Choies
of a Commety to End the defiranc that is betwen Tops-
fild and Boxford Relating to Towen bouends the Com-
mety so chosen by the Commeties of Each Towen having
full power to desied the a foer s^ defirenc thay tacking the
genaral Couert grants for thair Rewel to Judg by : in
thair determination of s<^ defirenc : also it is a greead and
voted by the Towen of Boxford that in Ceas the Com-
metyes of the tow Touens a foer s^ doe a gree to Eand
the afoer s^ defirenc a monge them selves thair a ward

94 BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

shal be a full End of defirenc as far as Boxford is Con-
sernad and if thay should not a gree and it bee left to a
Commety Chosen by the Commety of Each Towen the a
ward of s^^ Commety shal bee a final End of thir defirenc
so far as Boxford is conserned : thay tacking the grants
a foer s^ for thair diraction in this matter : also it is farther
voted by the Towen of Boxfor[d] that in Ceas s^ towen
doe not stand tow and a hied by the a ward or detarmi-
nation of the a fore s^ Commeties or Commety Chofen by
them : then the Towen of Boxford doe for fit to the
Towen of Topsfild the sumb of a thowsend pound : also
it is forther voted that in Ceas our Commety shal Enter in
to a thowsend pound bond to the Towen of topsfild or thair
Commety then the Towen of Boxford doe a gree to hould
thaier owen Commety Choes for the Sarvis a foer s^ in-
demnified : the Towen of Topsfield did obgact a gainst
Zerobobal Endicot thairfoer the Towen of Boxford have
Chosen Ensien hazen in the Rouem of nT Endicoat for
the afoer s^^ servis : at a legal Towen meting hild in box-
ford the *22* of fabewary 1703/4:

as attest John pebody Clark

also the Towen pased a voat to alow Sixten pound one
shillin for the Expends a bout the fast and ordenation of
nf Simes and m^ Simes is indented to the Towen one
pound tow shillin of it

also the Towen voted to alow Leftenant perlyes bill a
mounting to the sumb of Elaven pound seventen shilling
Six penc

also to allow what money thay should spend that shall
goe to the governer to Carey a petesion to Eeles our
Towen from Relesing Afer Carey which other wies our
Towen must haue dun

To mosis tiler Constable of Boxford

thes aer to Requier you in her majesties name forth with
to warn the wief of Afer carey to depart out of our Towen
to the place of hir former Residenc the Selact men of
Boxford not allowing her to Resied in our Towen dated

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706. 95

the *22* of October 1703 as witnes our hands the Selact
men of Boxford :

John pebody Thomas hazzen

Recorded on hell Jonathen foster Timothy darman
in Court at Salem Selact men of Boxford :

november 30‘*^ 1703

Examined : as attest Stephen Sewel Clerk

October the *26* 1703: in obedianc to this warent I
haue warned the wief of After Carey to depart out of
Boxford and not to Com in to it a gaien as an in habitant
as witnes my hand

Mosis Tiler

Constabel of Boxford
Copah vera of the oreganal on fiell

as attest Stephen Sewel Clerk

at a genaral Sasions of the peec houlden at Salem no-
uembr the 30*^ 1703 Stephen Sewall

The selact men of Boxford having Retorned to this
Couert a warrent with a retorn thair on of warning the
wief of Afer cary out of the said Towen is filed up with
this Couert as the law diracts a Cordingly

Copia vera Stephen Sewel Clark

al this a boue written is a trew Copia of what Standeth
on fiel on Court Record in Salem Court Records as it was
giueen in to mee

John Pebody Towen Clark of Boxford

Essix ss. to the Constable of Boxford in said County of
Essix greting

Complaint beeing mead to mee frances wainright on of
her majestis Justeec of the peac for said County by Lef-
tanent John pebody one of the selact men of Boxfor[d]
a foer : that Sarah Ceary an inhabitant of Ipswich in s^
County is Com into the afore s^ Towen of Boxford Shee
beeing a poer body demanding Relef of the Selact men
of Boxford afoer s^ and thay not beeing a bliged by law
to grant Releef to her Shee being an inhabitant as afoer
said

96 BOXrORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

Thes thairfoer are in her majesties name to Requier you
to aprehand the person of the s^ Sarah Care}^ if shee may
bee found with in your Towenship of Boxford a foer saied
and her Conuay to the Selact men of Ipswich afoer s*^ : or
to one of the ouer seears||of the poer|| of said towen of
Ipswich and her the s^ Sarah Carey you aer to leaue with
Eaither of them to wit the Selactmen of Ipswich or over-
sears as afoer s<^ : that so shee may bee provided for with
conueniant Releef a Cording as the law provides her of
you aer not to faiel of your duty hear in : and for youer so
doing this shal bee youer sofesiant warent

giueen undr my hand dated in Ipswich desamber the
•16^‘ 1703 In the Sacond yer of her majesties Raien

Frances Wainwright

a trew Copey of a warent giueen by Justis waineright
as attes John pebody Town Clark.

Racned with Zecheus Cortis as hee was our Constabel
and wee fiend the Towen to bee Eaight Shillings in his
deat upon the Towen Reats the Eaight Shilling was for
paying so much for m^' Endicoat in the towen Reat

as attest John pebody one of the Selact men for the yer
1703 that Recond with him

also the Selact men for the year 1703 Racned with
Josaph haill as hee was the Constable for the Reats Com-
meted to him togather in his year and wee fiend him to
bee six pound and forten shillings in the Towens deat or
thair a bouts : as attest John pebody Clark and one of
the Selact men that Racned with him

At a legal Towen meting hild in boxford the •22* of
febewary 1703/4

The Towen Choes qurtermaster wood moderator for the
day.

the Towen voted a bill for Leften perly amounting to
11 — 17 — 6 which is set dowen on the other sied of this
leaf

The selact men of Boxford mead tow Contrys Rats the
of October 1703 Each Reat a mounting to the Sum of
Sixty nien pound fine shilling to be paied to the Treasurer
and the ouer plush of the Reat to the Lef John pebody
also minister Rat amounting to the Sum of 60 ^ — 00^ — 00^^

BOXFOKD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

also the selact men mead a Reat to pay sum Towen
Charges amounting to the sumb of thirty pounds five
Shilen six penc

of this Towen Reat to Leftenant pearly is to bee paid

11^05—0

to Lettent pebody the sumb of forten pound Eaitten
Shill 4—18—0

to m^ william foster the sumb of two pound Elaven

02—11—0

to Josaph Andrus on pound to John Andrus 7® both is

01—07—0

as attest John pebody Clark and one of the Selact men

also the select men mead a Couenty Reat the 8^‘‘ of oc-
tobr 1703 a mounting to the sumb of fiue pound three Shil-
ings sixpenc al thes Reats aboue spesified wear deliverad
to our Constable mosis tiler to gather them and to deliver
the money to all the persons above named ||to|| Each man
thair Just sumb or sumes as is aboue spesified as attest
John Pebody Towen Clark and one of the Selactmen for
the yer 1703.

At a lawfull Towen meting hild in boxford march 14^
1703/4

The Towen Choes Leftenant pearly moderator for the
day

also the Towen Choes Lef John Pebody Towen Clark
for the year 1704

also the Towen Choes John Andrus for the year insew-
ing to be thair Constabel

also the Towen Choes Lef pearly Sargent bixbee Abra-
ham Radington Josaph Andros and Josiah Bridges Selact
men for the year in sewing : and assesars the yer insew-
ing

also Corpral Kimbol is Choes grand Jury man for the
yer insewing :

also the Towen Choes Zecheus Cortis to serue on the
Jury of trials next Cort

also the Towen Choes Thomas Jewet Jonathan foster and
Samuel Simonds Juner to be tithing men for the yer in
sewing

also the Towen Choes moses tiler Corperal pebody and
John how servaiers for hy waies for the yer in sewing

98 BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

also the Towen Choes Josaph heall and nathaniel pearly
fenc vewers for the yer in sewing

hear is an Account of thoes men that haue tacken thair
Respactiue oathes to the faithful discharg of thair ofises
for the yer 1704

John Andrus Constebel : moses Tiler and Corperal pe-
body servaiers of the hywaies Josaph heal fenc vewar :
Jonathan foster tithing man : as attes Joseph Bixbee Clark
for the day and now hear set dowe[n]d by John pebody
Towen Clark

John peabody Towen Clark is sworn to bis ofies : also
LeP^ pearly Sargent bixbee Abraham Radington and Jo-
siah bridges bee sworn assasers for this yer 1704

At a Towen meting hild in Boxford the 16^^ of may
1704:

The Towen Choes Leften perly moderator for the
presant meting

also Choes Samuell Simonds sen^ to same the yer in
sewing for a Represantitive

At a Towen meting hild in Boxford the *15* of desamber
1704:

The Towen Choes Sargen Bixbee modarator for the
day

hear is an account of thoes men in Boxford that haue
tacken thair oathes to the faithful discharg of thair Re-
spactive ofises that thay bee Chosen to searve in this year
1705: John Pebody Towen Clark ||sworn|| allso John
Stiels and Jacob Pearly Constabels ||and sworn || also John
Pebody Zecheus Cortis Nathaniel pearly and Joseph Pe-
body Juener ||are sworn || assasars for the yer inseuing

Resaiued of m^ Samuel Simonds and m^ Zecheus Cortis
the wholl of my salery for the year 1701 : the 14 of Sep-
tember 1702 : by mee Thomas Simes

this is a trew copey of the Resait m^ Thomas Simes gaue
to Constabel Zacheus Cortis the •14- of September 1702 :
as attest John pebody

Constabel Thomas perly payed to mr Simes Sixty pound
in money for the year 1702 : which is the whoel of his
salery Exsept the w'ood

also Constabel perly payed to the Cuntry trasurer

34i_04«— 00^

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706. 99

At a legal Towen meting hild in Boxford the *13^*^* of
march 1704/5 :

The Towen Choes Insien hazzen moderator for the
presant meting :

also the Towen Choes Leften John pebody Towen
Clark for the yer Insewing

also the Towen voted to Choues tow Constabels for the
yer insewing and a Cordingly have choes John Stiels and
Jacob perly for to bee thair Constabels for the year Insew-
ing

and the Selact men bee as followeth Lef John Pebody
Joseph pebody Jun daiiid wood nathaniel pearly: and
Zecheus Courtis voted and to be assesars

also Jonathan foster is chosen to searve on the Jury of
trials next Court to be houlden at Ipswich : also Josaph
II heal II is chosen grand Jur[y]man this year
also II choes II Corparal Kimbol Sargent pearly Timothy
foster Tithing men this year ensewing

also Samuel foster david pebody Jarimyah perly and
loouck houey aer Chasen seruaiers of high waies the year
in sewing

also voted by the Towen that Ensien hazen shal be
Towen trasurer for the year insewing :

also Thomas Jewet and Iseack perly be chosen fenc
vewars ||for the year insuing||

also voted by the Towen to paye to m*’ Simes Eaight
pound by the year yerly for seven year to gather after
the deat her af in good provesion ||in lew of the wood for
m*" Simes II at money pries and to be payed by the last of
november Every year yearly teall the seuan years bee
Expired and then the voat for the wood to tack place a
gaien as befoer voted

At a meting of the Towen of Boxford by an a Jorn-
ment ||from the 13^^ of march 1704/5 1| to the 3^ of April
||1705|| and then meat and the moderator not being at the
I meting the Constabel Stiels did cary on the work of the
’ by putting things to voat : 1 : the Towen voted to

, alow twenty shilling this year 1705 to that man that shal
I keep the Kee of the meting hones and ||to|| open ||and||
shut the doers on al publick metings in sutabel tim and
I to swep the meting hous as often as theaier is ocation :

100 BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

also the UtouenU choes John pebody to be a Scouel
master for this year : also Choes Richerd Kimbol and
Robart Stiels to bee hewards this yer insewing

At a legal Towen meting hild in Boxford the 30^^ of
October 1705

the Towen Choes quartermaster wood modirator for the
presant meting and by Resan of our not agreing to act
towen bisenas we have a Jorned the meting to the first
tewesday in november next at *3* a clock after nowen
John Andrus Constabel of Boxford brought six Resaiets
to bee Recorded which Resaites wear all of them sined by
Jaremyah alien Clark of the provenc Tresurer and thay all
did a mount to the sum of 138^ — 10® — 0 and the last Re-
saight I have her set dowen as it is worded in the Resait
Resaiued of m^ John Andrus Constebal of Boxford
nienten pound thirten shillings and Eaigh[t] penc in full
Resaiued for m^’ jaems Tayler Tresurer boston October :
9t'‘-1705

a trew Copey of what is in the Resaight as attes John
pebody Towen Clark

At a legal Towen meting hild in Boxford the *5’^'^* of
fabewary 1705/6

first the Towen Choes Josaph heall moderator for the
presant meting

all so the Towen voted to send thes folowing preposials
to Topsfield to inviet them to Joyen with us in agreeing
to Choues a Commety to End our long defirenc if thay pies
Boxford fabewary *5- 1705/6 : from the Towen of Box-
ford to the Towen of Topsfield gentielmen sum tiem sene
wee sent to youer selact men to desier them to come and
Preamilize with us upon the lien betwen onr Towens :
and thay sent us word that thay did not account thair
was anney lien setled to preamilieze upon : but wear wil-
ling to Joyen with us in setting a lien if wee Could con-
trive anney Rasianel way for that End whearfoer wee have
thout it conueniant to mack you this offer that if you
fee caues to Joyen with us in Chouesing a Commety of
sutabl persones to doe that worck for us wee aer freely
II willing II to Joyen with yow and wee pray that you will
mack us a Return whether you will tack up with theas
offiers and wee think it Rasionel and Cristian lick : or if

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

101

you can mack us a beatter wee hope wee shall not be bac-
ward to exsapt of anney Rasional preposiales ||to End our
defirenc in love|| :

voted by the Towen as attest John Pebody Towen
Clerk

alfo voted by the Towen to bueld a houes for the pooer
of the Towen and to seat it vpon that parsel of land de-
votad for the ves of the Towen whear our meting houes
doth stand : and the demensions of the houes a bove saied
is as followeth it is to bee thorty foout in lenth and fouer-
teen foout in bradth and six foout stud with a conveniant
sealler vnder one Eand of it : also the Towen have Chosen
three men to a gree with sum man or men of our Towen to
bueld and finish this a bove saied houes and sealler accord-
ing to the sound discresion of thes three men undr named
vpon the Towens Cost and Charg

the names of this Commety for this semis bee Thomas
Jeweat Jacob pearly and david Pebody : and this work
is to bee dun by the last of Juen nex in sewing the deat
hear of dated fabewary the *5*^* 1705/6

All the Towen oficers chosen the 12^^ day of march in
boxford to searue for the year -1706* have tacken thaier
oathes to thair Respactive ofices Exsepting the towen
tresurer which hath not as yeat

as attest John pebody Towen Clark
At a legal Towen meting hild in Boxford the *26* of
fabewary 1705/6

The towen Choes Corpral John Andrus moderator for
the presant meting

also the Towen did allow several bils of Charg for
money Expended for the Towens semis ; to m^ Endicot
for money layed out at boston and and Cambridg for the
Towen 02 — 12 — 0

also for John Eames for money Expendad at Cambridg
for the Towen 00 — 17 — 0

also to John Stiels for Keeping of the Keea and swep-
ing the meting hous 01 — 00 — 0

also Thomas Radington twenty shilling for sweping the
meting hous 01 — 00 — 0

also the Towen did alow John Pebody all that
pebody Read in the town meting being seat dowen in

102 BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706.

pebodys oweii bouk of accounts Exsept *6®* that hee saith
he deliverad to JohnEames: but ||s^|| Eames denyeth
him and wil not ovven it

also to william foster it was a lowed for sweping the
meting hous on yer 01 — 00 — 0

also to Josaph pebody was a lowed for sweping the met-
ing houes on yer 01 — 00— 0-

also Towen Choes Ensien hazzen Sargent bixbe and
Zerobebabel Endicot to vew a pees of land that John wood
desirad of the Towen lying in the Eastwardly corner of
the pasnig farm and to mack Ketorn to the towen what thay
did Estem s*^ land to bee worth voted

at a legal Towen meting hild in Boxford the •12‘^^* day
of march 1705/6

the Towen Choes Leften Pearly moderator for the pres-
ant meting voted

also Timothy dorman is Choes Cunstabel for the yer in
sewing for the south sied of the towen

also Job Tiler is Choes Cunstabel for the yer in sewing
for the north sieed of the town

also John pebody is Choes Towen Clark for the year in
Sewing

also Ensien hazzen is Choes Selact man for the yer
1706 and al so assesar for 1706 also dauid wood and Rich-
ard Kimbol and Samuel Simonds sener and Jonethen Bix-
be be Choesen selact men and assesars for the year in-
sewing 1706 : voted to searu acordingly

also the Towen Choes Thomas Jueat for a grand Jur[y]-
man for the year in sewing

also Insien hazen is chosen Touen Trasurer for the
year in sewing

also John Stiels and Louck houey aer Chosen tithing
men for the year 1706

also nathaniel pebody francos Eallit and Robart Stiels
be choesen seruayers for 1706

also Jarymyah perly and John wood aer Chosen fenc
vewares for the yer 1706

also david pebody is Choes to saru upon the Jury of
tryals next Cort at Ipswich

also the Towen voted to giue gorg Bixbe twenty shill-
ing for this year 1706 to Keep the Kee of the meting hous

BOXFORD TOWN RECORDS, 1685-1706. 103

and to svvep it and open and stet^ the dors and to lay ||it
in the first Reat||

also voted by the Towen that thaier bee a Commety Chosen
to make inquirey whether. thaier is no land lying conven-
iant for the ves of the miniestry that may ||be|| Exchanged
by the Towen for the whoell or a peart of the personeg
which Commety shal forth with ingage in that affaier and
mack thaier Report of thaier doings to the Towenas souen
as may bee and also thay shall make inquirey whether
thaier be anney land conveniant for that End to bee soueld
and mack Report to the Towen of thair doings thair in
also voted by the Towen that peart ||of|| or the whoel
pasnege farem shall bee Exchanged for sum land in sum
other place Conueniantly for the ves of the menistry if an
apertunity presant that the Towen shal approue of:
also the Towen Choes three men to bee a Commety to
mack inquirey whether thaier bee anney land to be Ex-
changed : for all or peart of the pasneg or to be souel for
the ves of the menistry if non Can be Exchanged

also whear as Topsfield haue Intuimated Hto|| us that
thay haue Chosen a Commety to agree if it be posiabel
with a Commety Chosen by our towen a bout a deuiding
lien betwen our towens wee in answer to them haue
chosen leiut pebody Ensien hazzen and ||John|| Eames
to bee a Commety to meet with Topsfiles commety a
foer s^ and doe giue them full power to agree with them
in the II matter II afoer s^ if it bee posiabel and also wee
giue them full power to Joyen with them in anney other
methord of Issewing that defaranc if thay see caues and
wee oblige our sealues to stand tow and abied by what
Ever thay shal doe in that matter : also the Towen choes
Leftn John pebody scowel master for the year in sewing
•1706*

*Shut.

ISAAC ESTY OF TOPSFIELD AND SOME OF
HIS DESCENDANTS.

BY GAY ESTY BANGS.

The first mention in America of the name Esty, or as
it is otherwise spelled " Estey, Este, Estee, Easte, Eastey,
Easty,” is in Salem, where one JeflTrey Esty was granted
twenty acres of land in the year 1636. From the Essex
County Registry of Deeds we copy the following : " 23-6-
1651, Jeffrey Esty hath sold the arbadge or after feeding
of the five acre lotto Henry Bullock. The planting thereof
was formerly granted to Nathaniel Bishop as by a writing
dated the day and year above written.” Also ”A caveat
recorded for William Dixie who bought of Jeffrey Estee
thirty acres of upland for 30^ in Mackerell Cove. 6 Oct.
1651, the said Estee being out of this jurisdiction cannot
yet be called to acknowledge same.” In the year 1651,
it seems, Jeffrey Esty had left Salem and was out of juris-
diction. The facts are that he removed to Long Island,
settling for a time at Southold, thence to Huntington, and
later to Little Neck, where he died Jan. 4, 1657. He
made a will, without date, which was probated Jan. 23,
following, and was written by Henry Scudder, his son-in-
law. This will mentions a daughter Catharine and a
son Isaac. Catharine married, first, Henry, son of Thomas
and Elizabeth Scudder, of Salem, who made his will Jan.
25, 1661 ; second, Thos. Jones who settled at Huntington,
making his will Feb. 16, 1669.

Isaac Esty, the son of Jeffrey, was born probably, in
England, previous to the year 1630, and was quite young
at the time of his father’s settlement in Salem. He was
a cooper by trade, and the following is the first reference
to him that we have: "2-5-1653, Job Hilliard of Sa-

lem, fisherman, hath sold to Isake Esty of Salem, cooper,
one house and land adjoining, being nearly half an acre

(105)

106 ISAAC ESTY AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.

for 20 li. to be paid as follows. 6 li. on the October
next in Codfish or caske, 8 li. on the 15^^ October 1654 in
fish or mackerel, 6 li. ye 15^'^ October 1655, in fish or
mackerel or Job to have the house and land again as by
deed dated 19-5-1653.”

Isaac Esty settled in Topsfield previous to 1660. In
1661, he was one of the commoners appointed to share in
the Topsfield common land on the south side of Ipswich
river. In 1664 he was rated at 19s. 6d., which was the
ministers rate for that year and entitled him to a propor-
tionate share in the division of the common land, those pay-
ing fifty shillings to have one of the greater shares, under
fifty to twenty to have one of the middle shares, those un-
der twenty to have one of the least shares ; in 1669, in the
casting of lots he was given the 15th share. In 1672,
with Deacon Howlet, Lieut. Peabody, Joseph and Ed-
mund Towne and Thomas Baker he was granted all the
swamp meadow, lying upon Ipswich river, extending from
the lower part of the Governor’s meadow down to the bridge
that goes over the river below old Goodman Towne’s for a
consideration of fifty pounds.

He was one of the selectmen of the town in 1680, ’82,
’86 and ’88. In 1681, ’84, ’85, he was chosen juryman of
trials at Ipswich, and in years 1691 and ’96, he was chosen
grand juryman ; he also served as ty thing man, surveyor
of highways and fences, and was a member of different
committees of the town.

In 1677, he is called ” senior,” his son Isaac having be-
come of age. In 1689 he is styled " Sargent ” Esty. He
was a member of the church, and one of the committee
appointed to secure the services of Mr. Daniel Epps of
Salem, as minister in 1681, and also to secure the services
of Mr. Capen and to provide for the ordination. The
church register for 1684 shows that Isaac Esty, wife and
family, were members in full communion. He died at
Topsfield, in the year 1712, leaving a will dated March
26, 1709, witnessed by John How, Abraham How, and
Joseph Capen (the minister), which was prbbated June
11, 1712. It reads :

’'In the name of God amen I, Isaac Estie senr. of Tops-

ISAAC ESTT AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS. 107

field in the County of Essex in New England Cooper be-
ing at this present of perfect understanding and memery
but sensible of my Declining years have thought good to
make sum disposal of my Temporal Estate as followeth
Commending my soul into y® hands of God y® maker and
Redeemer of it whenever it shall please God to take me
hense and my body to desent Interment.

1 . My will is y’^ my son Isaac have all y® land which he
is already posest of being on y® south side of Ipswich river
which I reckon to be about forty acres of upland and four
of meadow be it more or less. My will is y^ he & his heirs
forever have y® land aforesaid togather with what he hath
had of my movable estate.

2. As for my son Joseph my will is y*^ besides what I
have already Done for him about building or in Cattle or

in purchasing Land which hath been Considerable

he shall have half of my wearing apparel at my Decease.

3. As for my son John he hath already what I intended
for him in full & hath signified the same by writing under
his hand.

4. As for my son Benjamin my will is y^ he and his
heirs forever have y® house & land adjacent, which I for-
merly designed for my son Joshua. My meaning is y* he
have y® value of y® said house and land y* is what was
sold for to my neighboor John Robinson togather with the
two cows which he hath had of me already which money
for said House and Land he hath had already.

5. As for my son Jacob, my will is y^ he & his heirs
forever have my now dwelling house, together with barn,
and other buildings with my orchards, plow lands pasture
lands and meadows not already otherwise disposed of to-
gether with all my Implements of husbandry, weaving or
Copering also my will is y^ my son Jacob have y® whole of
my movable estate y^ shall be left at my decease he tak-
ing off & discharging my funeral expenses whom I do
appoint sole Executor of this my last will whom I do ap-
point to pay my grandchild Sarah Gill ten pounds in
pay not in money, nor as money, also my son Jacob and
his heirs forever shall have all my right in cart or drift
way as expressed by deeds.

6. As for my son Joshua for whom I procured a trade

108 ISAAC ESTY AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.

and payde some debts for him, my will is y^ besides what
I have already done for him he have at my decease y^
other half of my wearing apparel eaqiially dividing y® same
with brother Joseph Avhich is all I can do for him.

As for my daughter Sarah Irellan she had her full pro-
potion out of my estate upon her marriage in Cattle bed-
ding or otherwise.

As for my daughter Hannah I have on her marriage
with George Abbot of Andover payed her y® full of w*
I intended for her excepting twenty pounds in pay which
I thought she should have at my decease payd her by my
son Jacob, but inasmuch as my son Jacob hath payd her
about seven pounds & ten shillings of y® twenty pounds
already there remains only about twelve pounds ten shill-
ings in pay due to her by my son Jacob at or before or
within one year of m}^ decease and in testimony of ye * *
* I y® said Isaac Estie senr hereunto set my hand and seal
this twenty-sixth day of March in y® year of our Lord one
thousand seven hundred & nine and in y® seventh year of
y® reign of Anne of Great Brittain France &> Ireland
Queen.

Signed, sealed and declared

to be y® last will of Isaac Estie senr

as above said in presence of us.

John How Isaac Estie sen

Abraham How
Joseph Capen

Codicill.

Sarah Gill to have but five pounds.

twenty fourth day of January 1710/11.

Admitted to probate June 11, 1712.

Isaac Esty married Mary, daughter of William and Jo-
annah (Blessing) Towne of Topsfield. She was born at
Yarmouth, Norfolk Co., England, and baptized at St.
Nicholus church, Aug. 24, 1634. We know but little of
her life till 1692, when that terrible witchcraft delusion
spread over Salem Village and vicinity. Among those to
fall a victim was Mary Esty. Her sister Rebecca Nurse,
about thirteen years older, had previously been accused.

ISAAC ESTY AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS. 109

found guilty and executed on July 19, 1692. Mary Esty
was arrested April 21, 1692, kept in jail till May 18, when
she was released. On May 21, a second warrant was
procured and she was taken from her home at midnight,
carried to Salem jail and placed in chains. She was tried,
found guilty and condemned to death, and on the 22 of
September, 1692, she was executed with seven others.
She was the mother of nine children, a woman of sound
judgment and exalted Christian character. In intelligence
she was far in advance of her age, as the following petition,
written while in prison, amply bears testimony:

The Humble Petition of Mary Easty unto his Excellency Sir William
Phips, and to the Honored Judge and Bench now sitting in Judicature
in Salem, and the Beverend Ministers, humbly showeth, that, whereas,
your poor and humble petitioner, being condemned to die, do humbly
beg of you to take it in your judicious and pious consideration that
your poor and humble petitioner, knowing my own innocency, blessed
be the Lord for it ! and seeing plainly the wiles and subtility of my
accusers by myself, cannot but judge charitably of others that are
going the same way of myself, if the Lord steps not mightily in, I
was confined a whole month upon the same account that I am con-
demned now for, and then cleared by the afflicted persons, as some of
Your Honors know. And in two days’ time I was cried out upon
them, and have been confined, and now am condemned to die. The
Lord above knows my innocency then, and likewise does now, as at
the great day will be known to men and angels. I petition to Your
Honors not for my own life, for I know I must die, and my appointed
time is set; but the Lord he knows it is that, if it be possible, no more
innocent blood may be shed, which undoubtedly cannot be avoided in
the way and course you go in. I question not but Your Honors do to
the utmost'of your powers in the;discovery and'detecting of witchcraft
and witches, and would not be guilty of innocent blood for the world.
But, by my own innocency, I know you are in the wrong way. The
Lord in his infinite mercy direct you in this great work, if it be his
blessed will that no more innocent blood be shed ! 1 would humbly

beg of you, that Your Honors would be pleased to examine these
afflicted persons strictly, and keep them apart some time, and likewise
to try some of these confessing witches ; I being confident there is
several of them has belied themselves and others, as will appear, if
not in this world, I am sure in the world to come, whither I am now
agoing. I question not but you will see an alteration of these things.
They say myself and others having made a league with the Devil, we
cannot confess. I know, and the Lord knows, as will . . . appear,
they belie me, and so I question not but they do others. The Lord
above, who is the Searcher of all hearts, knows, as I shall answer it
at the tribunal seat, that I know not the least thing of witchcraft ;
therefore I cannot, I dare not, belie my own soul. I beg Your Hon-
ors not to deny this my humble petition from a poor, dying, innocent
person. And I question not but the Lord will give a blessing to your
endeavors.”

110 ISAAC ESTY AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.

She asked not for her own life ; only that other inno-
cent blood might not be shed, and for this unconsciousness
of self has been called ” the self-forgetful.” After sentence
was executed Isaac Esty did not weakly submit to what
seemed to be the inevitable, but with a keen sense of jus-
tice and a recognition of his duties to the martyred wife,
he bore in mind the fact that upon him devolved the re-
sponsibility of doing all in his power to rescue her name
from reproach and his children from disgrace. After
nearly twenty long years had passed away he was in a
measure successful ; the petitions which he presented to the
court were recognized ; the verdict annulled, and twenty
pounds granted him, in acknowledgment of the injustice
of the previous decision.

Children :

2. Isaac, ^ b. about 1656.

3. Joseph, b. Feb. 5, 1657/8.

4. Sarah, b. June 30, 1660; m., 1st, Moses Gill of Amesbury, and

had Sarah, bapt. May 3, 1691, and Benjamin, bapt. Sept 27,
1691 ; m., 2nd, Ireland.

5. John, b. Jan. 2, 1662/3.

6. Hannah, b. 1667 ; d. Nov. 5, 1741, at Topsfield; m. July

21, 1707, George Abbot of Andover, being his second wife.
No children.

7. Benjamin, b. Apr. 29, 1669.

8. Samuel, b. Mar. 25, 1672; d. before 1709; probably unmarried.

9. Jacob, b. Jan. 24, 1674/5.

10. Joshua, b. July 2, 1678; and d. before Apr. 25, 1718, when
widow Abigail m. William Poole. Had dau. Mary, b. Jan.
12, 1701/2.

2 Isaac'^ {Isaac^’^ Jeffrey'^') ^ born in Topsfield about
1656. His name appears with others who took the oath of
allegiance and fidelity to Charles II. in Jan., 1677. In 1681
his minister’s rate was seven shillings and one penny, his
father’s being one pound and three shillings, and his brother
Joseph’s seven shillings and nine pence. In 1689 and 1691,
he was chosen one of the surveyors of highways, and in
1694 was chosen constable. In 1696 he was one of the
selectmen of the town.

He left a will dated Mar. 16, 1713/14, which was pro-
bated May 3, 1714. Married Oct. 14, 1689, Abigail,
daughter of John and Mary (Bradstreet) Kimball, who
was born Mar. 22, 1667. She married, second, Apr. 25,
1718, William Poole of Reading.

ISAAC ESTY AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS. Ill

Children :

11. Mary/ bapt. Feb. 15, 1691/2; m. Sept. 10, 1713, John Perkins.

12. Abigail, bapt. Jan. 8, 1692/3; m. May 22, 1712, Joseph Cum-

mings, and died of small pox, Jan. 10, 1729/30.

13. Sarah, b. Oct. 4, 1694; m. Dec. 1, 1714, Capt. Joseph Cum-

mings, and d. before 1751.

14. Isaac, b. Nov. 20, 1696.

15. Aaron, b. Feb. 16, 1698/9.

16. Jacob, b. June 28, 1700.

17. Hannah, b. May 18, 1702; m. Jan. 5, 1720/1, Isaac Cummings.

18. Richard, bapt. Apr. 7, 1706 ; d. about 1784 ; m. May 7,1728, Ruth,

daii. of William and Mary Fiske of Ipswich, b. Oct. 18, 1709.
He lived in Rowley until 1764, when he removed with three
sons, John, Zebulon and Richard, to a settlement lately
formed by New England colonists on the banks of the St.
John river, New Brunswick, called Maugerville. Richard
Esty was one of the signers of the original covenant of the
Congregational church founded there. He left numerous
descendants in N. B., and many now living in the U. S;
W. P. Estey of Fredericton, and Jas. A. Estey of St. John,
are among them.

19. Rebecca, bapt. Aug. 8, 1708; m. 1st, Nov. 12, 1729, Preserved

Tucker of Stoughton ; m. 2nd, Apr. 7, 1743, Matthias Puffer
of Stoughton.

20. Moses, bapt. Sept. 6, 1712 ; m. Sept. 8, 1736, Eunice Penguille.

Removed to Enfield, Ct., in 1752, and in 1756 to Bucks Co.,
Pa., and later to New Jersey. He had one son, Capt. Moses,
of Morristown, N. J., who was a soldier in the Revolution.
The late Judge David Kirkpatrick Este of Cincinnati, Ohio,
was a descendant, also Charles Este of Philadelphia, Pa.

3 Joseph^ (/8aac,2 Jeffrey^), born in Topsfield,
Feb. 5, 1657/8, surveyor of highways in 1683. About
1705 he removed with his family to a new settlement in
Dorchester, that part now known as Stoughton. His name
appears with that of his brother Benjamin as one of the
signers of the original covenant of the church of which
Rev. John Davenport was minister. In 1706 he obtained
land of the Indians, some of which is now located in the
town of Canton. In 1712 he conveyed seventy acres to
his son Joseph Esty, Jr. He died at Stoughton, Oct. 25,
1739. He married Jane Steward June 2, 1682.

Children :

21. Isaac, b. Mar. 12, 1682/3; d. Apr. 30, 1683.

22. Mary, b. Feb. 22, 1684.

23. Joseph, bapt. May 5, 1688/9; d.Feb. 6, 1765, at Stoughton; m.

June 16, 1715, Experience Bennet of Dorchester; she d.
Apr. 28, 1768. His son Joseph, b. Dec. 8, 1726, and grand-
son Joseph were soldiers in the Revolution from Stough-

112

ISAAC ESTY AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.

ton, and left descendants among whom were the late Hon.
Edward S. Esty of Ithaca, N. Y., Willard F. Estey, of
Lewiston, Me., and C. H. Esty of Brookline, Mass.

24. Jacob, b. Oct. 15, 1690; d. Apr. 1777, at Sharon, Mass. His

wife Mehitable died June 16, 1770. Three sons, Jacob,
John and Elijah, were soldiers in the Revolution from
Sharon. Judge C. C. Esty of Framingham, Mass., is a de-
scendant.

25. Samuel, bapt. May, 1691; d. Dec. 25, 1779, at Sharon; m. June

16, 1718/19, Rebecca Hawes; she died Feb., 1780.

26. Elizabeth, bapt. March 13, 1691/2; m. June 12, 1712, Samuel

Jackson of Dorchester.

27. Edward, bapt. July 16, 1692/3; d. Nov. 6, 1789, at Canton; m.

Elizabeth, dau. of Isaac Stearns. He is said to have been
the first to make his home in Canton, in 1717 purchasing
over 200 acres of land. He practised medicine to some ex-
tent and was known as Dr. Esty. Prof. W. C. Esty of
Amherst College, I. Bruce Esty of New York City, Chas.
Esty of Newton, Mass., and Edward Esty of Westmore-
land, N. H., are descendants.

28. Lydia, b. Mar. 21, 1695/6.

29. John, b. Aug. 26, 1697.

30. Benjamin, b. Oct. 9, 1701; d. Oct. 23, 1766; m. Apr. 1, 1725,

Sarah Chandler ; was corporal in the French war, and died
in service at Lake George; administration papers were
granted his widow Sarah, Apr. 29, 1757.

5 John^(/saac,2 Jeffrey^) ^ born in Topsfield, Jan. 2,
1662/3. Settled in Middleton. He married, first, May
31, 1688, Mary, daughter of Thomas and Judith (Wood)

Dorman and, second, Hannah .

Children by Mary :

31. Mary,^ bapt. July 31, 1692.

32. Hannah, bapt. Dec. 24, 1693; m. Apr. 10, 1718, at Salem, Jona-

than Russel.

Children by Hannah :

33. Susannah, b. Aug. 14, 1695.

34. Jemimah, b. Feb. 2, 1696/7.

35. Nathaniel, bapt. Aug. 24, 1701; d. 1746, at Stow; m. Oct. 24,

1724, Ruth Goodale of Salem. Removed from Salem to
Stow and had two sons, John and Asa, whose descendants
are numerous, among whom are Hon. M. M. Estee of Cal.
and James B. Estee of Milwaukee, Wis.

36. David, bapt. May 4, 1707.

37. Jonathan, bapt. May 4, 1707.

38. Kezia, bapt. May 4, 1707.

7 Benjamin^ (/s‘«ac,2 Jeffrey^), born in Topsfield,
Apr. 29, 1669, where he resided until about 1705, when

ISAAC ESTY AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS. 113

he removed to Dorchester and purchased land of the In-
dians. In 1727, he settled in what is now Sharon, where
he died March 28, 1750. His will mentions wife Mary,
daughter Elizabeth Howard, and sons Benjamin and Eben-
ezer. He was a. bricklayer by trade. He married, tirst,
Apr. 9, 1702, Elizabeth, daughter of M^m. Goodhue of
Ipswich. She died in Dorchester, July 18, 1713. He
married, second, Dec. 13, 1716, Mary Holland.

Children :

3a. Benjamin, b. May 29, 1703. Lived in Stoughton and Sharon,
dying at the latter place June 9, 1781; he was called “ En-
sign ” and is said to have servetl as soldier in the French
war; was also deacon in the Sharon church. He m., 1st,
Dec. 6, 1732, Abigail Farley of Billerica. She was dau. of
Timothy and Abigail (Foster) Farley, and was born Sept. 8,
1705, and died at Sharon, Apr. 29, 1750. He ni., 2nd, Apr.
4, 1751, Mrs. Joannah (Tupper) Ormsby. She was a dau.
of Thos. Tupper and a sister of Brig. Gen. Benj Tupper.
A son Benjamin was a soldier in the Revolution from Bil-
lerica, and one of the first to fall at Bunker Hill. Chas. H.
Easte of Arlington, Mass., is a descendant.

40. Ebenezei;, b. Oct. 15, 1705, resided in Sharon, where he died

Apr. 10, 1769. He m., 1st, Sept. 13, 1739, Martha Belcher,
who d. Nov. 17, 1764, aged 48 yrs. He m. 2nd, in 1765,
Hebsibah Gulliver of Milton; she survived him, dying in
1770. His will names wife Hebsibah (adm’x) ; minor chil-
dren : Aaron, Solomon, Ebenezer and Mary. The son Solo-
mon was a soldier in the Revolution from Sharon, and is
said to have fought at Bunker Hill.

41. Elizabeth, b. Jan. 10, 170718, at Dorchester; m. Jan. 13, 1738,

Caleb Howard of Stoughton.

42. Sarah, b. June 26, 1713, at Dorchester.

9 Jacob'^ (/8aac,2 Jeffrey^) ^ born in Topsfield, Jan.
24, 1674/5, and died there Oct. 3, 1732. Bricklayer.
He married March 25, 1709/10, Lydia Elliot. Was
living in Dorchester, in 1724.

Children :

43. Jacob, b. Jan. 29, 1711; m. Nov. 15, 1735, Dorcas Hovey; had

Anne, b. Feb. 7, 1741/2, who d. Feb. 25, 1839, aged 98 yrs.

44. Lydia, b. July 30, 1713; m. Jan. 7, 17378, Isaac i'owne, and

settled at Sutton,

45. Isaac, b. Aug., 1715 (bapt. Aug. 14, 1715); d. 1792; m. Nov.

11, 1743, Sarah Gould, and removed to Sutton. Col. J. J.
Estey of Brattleboro, Vt., is a descendant.

46. Anna, b. May 1, 1719; m. Samuel Carriel of Sutton.

47. Mary, b. Feb. 9, 1720/1.

15 Aaron"* {Isaac,^^ Isaac Jefrey'^)^ born in Tops-

114 ISAAC ESTY AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.

field, Feb. 16, 1698/9, and died there April 21, 1783. He
married June 7, 1723, at Lynn, Esther Richards, who
was born, it is said, in Soiithboro. She died in Topsfield,
July 23, 1805, aged 100 years and 16 days.

Children :

48. Isaac, ^ b. Jan. 23, 1723/4; d. young.

49. Aakon, b. Jan. 18, 1724/5; d. in French war in 1745.

50. Hannah, b. Apr. 14, 1720; m. Feb. 2, 1753, Enos Towne.

51. Maky, b. June 1, 1730; in. Feb. 27, 1750/1, Beiij. Dwinnel; d.

Mar. 5, 1820, at Keene, N. H.

52. ISA.\c, b. Sept. 30, 1731.

53. Abigail, bapt. May 5, 1734; d. Feb. 24, 1737.

54. Estiikr, bapt. July 4, 1736; d. Feb. 28, 1737.

55. VViLLi.\M, bapt. Dec. 11, 1737; d. Mar. 13, 1745.

56. Danikl, b May 4, 1739.

57. Esther, b. June 29, 1741; m. Nov. 12, 1761, David Balch 3^;

settled in Keene, N. H. ; four children.

58. Aaron, b. Jan. 18, 1745/6; d. Aug., 1844.

59. AVilliam, b. Aug. 2, 1748.

37 Jonathan'^ (John,^ Isaac, Jeffrey^), baptized
May 4, 1707. Married Susannah Monroe of Lexington. He
lived in Middleton, and his children were born there.
Children :

60. Joshua,^ b. Aug. 28, 1735; d. Oct. 3, 1807, at Hillsboro, N. H. ;

m. Elizabeth Clark of Millbury, Mass. Settled in Hillsboro,
N. H. in 1769. L. K Eastey of Winona, Minn., is a de-
scendant.

61. Sarah, b. June 13, 1737; m, David Wright.

62. Hannah, b. July 26, 1739.

63. Susannah, b. Jan. 26, 1741; d. May 27, 1827; m. Nathaniel

Berry.

64. John, b. May 13, 1742; d. Nov. 2, 1834, at Middleton; m. Han-

nah, dau. of Samuel and Lydia (Andrews) Flint. The late
Gen Geo. P, Este of Toledo, Ohio, who served in the Civil
War, Rev. Jonathan Estey of Boston and E. J. Estey of
Galena, 111., are descendants.

65. William, b. July 23. 1744; d. Apr. 11, 1768; unmarried.

66. Nathaniel, b. Oct 25, 1746; d. in 1807; m., 1st, Sept. 26, 1771,

Mehitable Preston of Salem; 2nd, Jan. 28, 1792, Mrs. Re-
becca (Rolfe) Hobbs of Middleton. He lived in Salem and
Middleton, and had issue by both wives. This family
changed their spelling of the name to “ Estes.”

52 Isaac^ Aar on, Isaac, ^ Isaac, ^ 'vas born

in Topsfield, Sept. 30, 1731. Married Hannah Smith of
Roxford, Sept. 2, 1755, and resided in To])sfield until
about 1770, when he removed to Keene, N. H. He was
a member of the N. H. Committee of Safety, Maivh 14,

ISAAC ESTY AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS. 115

1776, and was sergeant in the Keene Foot Company. He
was a fi ee-mason.

Children :

67. Stephen,® b. Apr. 14, 1756; d. Nov. 13, 1815, Keene, N. H.

68. Abigail, b. Sept. 3, 1758; d. June 11, 1759.

69. Hannah, b. Aug. 9, 1760.

70. Isaac, b. Aug. 7, 1771, at Keene; d. Oct. 15, 1839, atReadsboro,

Vt. ; m. Apr. 3, 1794, Polly Warner, b. July 25, 1773, and d.
Oct. 28, 1821. Settled in Readsboro, Vt. Chas. C. Estey
of Gardner, Mass., is a descendant.

71. Esther, b. at Keene; m. Abijali Wood.

72. Sarah, b. Apr. 28, 1774, at Keene.

56 DanieP (^Aaron,‘^ Isaac, ^ Isaac, ^ Jeffrey^), born in
Topsfield, May 4, 1739, and died there July 22, 1830.
He was a soldier in the Revolution, a private in Capt. Jos.

Gould’s company at Lexington. Married Hannah .

She died Feb. 26 or 28, 1802, aged 62.

73. Mary,® b. May 28, 1766; d. Apr. 17, 1846.

74. Daniel, b. May 29, 1768; d. May 7, 1790.

75. Richard, b. Feb. 14, 1771; d. Jan. 5, 1853; m., 1st, ;

2nd, Caroline Fox of Dracut.

76. Enos, b. Dec. 10, 1773; d. Feb. 26, 1848; m. Eunice Kenny.

She d. Nov. 4, 1851, a). 77.

77. Sarah, b. Oct. 12, 1775; in. Nov. 27, 1800, Oliver Peabodv.

78. Hannah, b. Apr. 24, 1778; m. May 16, 1822, Elijah Goukl.

79. Abigail, b. Nov. 7, 1780; m. Nov. 10, 1808, William Homan.

80. John, b. Mar. 28, 1785.

58 Aaron-^ Isaac,^ Isaac,^

Topsfield, Jan. 18, 1745/6. Married Oct. 23, 1765,
Molly Hooper of Lynn. About 1770 removed to Rindge,
N. H., then after a few years to Shrewsbury, Yt., and
thence to Leicester, Yt., where he died Aug., 1844, re-
taining a rugged vitality almost to the very last.

Children :

81. Joseph,® b. Aug. 5, 1767.

82. Hannah, bapt. Aug. 6, 1769.

83. William, b. May 26, 1771, at Rindge; d. Dec. 6, 1848; m. Ann

Powers. Settled in Seneca Co., N. Y. E. B. Esty of
Cleveland, Ohio, is a descendant.

84. John, b. June, 1773, at Rindge; m. March 22, 1797, Sally Des-

per of Leicester, Vt. Had twelve children. One son, Ja-
son Esty, is still living in Palmyra, N. Y.

59 William^ (^Aaron'^, Isaac, Isaac, Jefrey^) born
Aug. 2, 1748, in Topsfield, and died Nov. 17, 1819, at

116 ISAAC ESTY AND SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS.

Keene, N. H. Married Phoebe Dwinnei of Topstield.
Lived in Topsheld until about 1784, vvlien he removed to
Boxford and, after a short stay, to Keene, N. H., where
he died. Was a soldier in the Kevolntion, and was one
of the charter members of the Masonic Lodge at Keene.
Children :

85. Kuth,® b. Jan 28, 1774, at Topsfiekl ; m. Evelith .

86. PncEBE, b. Jan. 12, 1776, at Topsfielcl; m., 1st, Bane;

m., 2nd, Nathan Tenney.

87. William, b. Oct. 8, 1777, at Topsfield; in. Sally Blake of Keene.

Lived in Kandolpli, Vt.

88. Deborah, b. Oct. 21, 1779, at Topsfield; m. Kimball.

89. John, b. Ang. 2, 1781, at Topsfield; d. May 3, 1867, at Groton,

N. H. ; m. Betsy Howard. Win. E^ty of Laconia, N. H.,
is a descendant.

90. Dorothy, b. Mar. 2, 1784, at Boxford; in. Poole.

91. Aaron, b. Apr. 5, 1786, at Keene; d. at Koxbnry, N. H. ; m.

Snsannab Davis.

92. David, b. Aug. 2, 1788, at Keene; d. at Walpole, N. LI.; m.

Mary Hirth.

93. Nancey, b. Mar. 17, 1791, at Keene; d. Mar., 1852; m. Capt.

Jos. Crandal.

94. Solomon, b. May 2, 1793, at Keene; d. Aug. 15, 1864; m. Clar-

issa Tasker.

95. Fanny, b. Jan. 23, 1796, at Keene; in. Isaac Davis, jr.

96. Jacob, b. Apr. 9, 1798, at Keene; d. Mar. 2, 1860, at Keene;

in. Sophia Brown of Keene.

80 JohW (^Daniel, ^ Aar Isaac, Isaac, ^ Jeffrey^),
born ill Topsfield, March 28, 1785, and died June 5, 1872,
at Derry, N. H. Married Aug. 16, 1804, Sarah l^eabody
of Boxford. She was daughter of Bimsley Peabody. She
was born June 10, 1780, and died Dec. 28, 1851. Lived
in Topsfield and Derry, N. H.

Children :

97. Eliza,’ b. Sept. 28, 1804, at Boxford; d. Oct. 23, 1851; m.

Mar. 6, 1834, Joseph Whittemore.

98. Daniel, b. Apr. 6, 1806, at Topsfield; d Nov. 11, 1891; m.

Mrs. Rebecca (Hawkins) Ciufl’.

99. John, b. Apr. 18, 1808, at Topsfield; d. Apr. 4, 1895; m.

Hannah Cochran.

100. Sarah, b. Nov. 23, 1809, at Topsfield.

101. Enos, b. .\ug. 9, 1811, at Topsfield; d. Jan. 20, 1863; m. Mary

Ann Packard.

102. Jonathan R., b. Mar. 26, 1813, at Topsfield; ni., 1st, Elvira

; 2nd, Mrs. Hepsibah (Trask) Whipple.

103. Richard, b Oct. 25, 1815, at Topsfield; d. April 5, 1897 ; m.

Clara Nichols.

104. Hannah T., b. Jan. 9, 1817, at Topsfield; in. Moody Morse.

105. Edward P., b. June 9, 1820, at Derry; d. Aug. 21, 1888; in.

Lydia (\ Hemphill.

SOUTH SIDE CEMETERY INSCRIPTIONS.

COPIED BY GEORGE WARREN TOWNE.

The South Side Cemetery is situated in the southern part
of the town, on the highway leading to Danvers and not far
from the “Copper Mine Lot.” It is upon a hill and some-
what removed from the travelled road. A time-stained wall
of stone, encloses about an acre of green-sward “where heaves
the earth in many a mouldering heap.”

The great beauty of the spot is found in the trees planted
by the different generations of men who have loved this “acre”
well. There are the usual native varieties, but one forgets
all save the towering pines that whisper messages of rest and
peace.

In 1740, Joseph Herrick, who lived on the farm at present
owned by William L. Batchelder, “in consideration of love,
goodwill and affection I bear towards” David Cummings,
John Cummings, Joseph Towne, Nathaniel Porter, Thomas
Dwinell, Benjamin Towne, Samuel Curtis, Aaron Estey, Gide-
on Towne, Nathaniel Porter, jr., Amos Dorman, Thomas Dor-
man, Israel Towne, Daniel Robinson and Joseph Hobbs,
deeded to them “one-half acre of land in Topsfield on the
south side of Ipswich River, known as the burying place, in-
closed with a stone wall, to be used as a burying place forev-
er. I furthermore grant a priviledge for said persons to pass
and repass across my land (Herrick’s) to bury their dead.”

Dated Mar. 13, 1739-40.

Joseph Hobbs lived on the Wm. Peabody farm just over
the line, in Middleton, and John Cummings lived on the Por-
ter Gould place, also in Middleton.

It will be noted that the deed says “known as the burial
place,” proving that the spot must have been used for burial
purposes before 1740. There are no stones to mark the
earliest graves and the resting places of only a few of the

(117)

ii8

SOUTH SIDE CEMETERY INSCRIPTIONS.

many Revolutionary soldiers here buried can be identified.
There is the grave of Mrs. Esther Estey, who lived to be
over a hundred years old, and off in a corner, separated from
the other mounds, where the grass seems longer and thicker,
is a grave with a large tree at its head, as if Nature was try-
ing to be especially kind to the lonely sleeper. There are
two traditions relating to this mound, one, that it is the grave
of a slave once the property of the Cummings family, anoth-
er, that it is the grave of an Indian woman named Sarah
Tutoo. The late John H. Gould believed in the latter story.

Judge Cummings, having lost his wife Sally, in 1814, per-
suaded his father to enlarge the Cemetery by the gift of
about half as much land as it then contained, the boundary
of the old ground being between the “Herrick row” and the
lot of the late David Towne. The land added in 1814 is now
occupied by lots of David and Lorenzo Towne, and the Peter-
son, Johnson, Cummings, Batchelder and Rea families.

The Cummings family built the wall, and it is said, planted
the larches and many of the other trees. “Master Sam”
Cummings cared for the ground as long as he lived, and after
his death, David Towne collected money by subscription and
repaired the wall, purchased new gates (the stone gate posts
were given by Lorenzo P. Towne) and put the ground in
good order. After his death the burial ground became neg-
lected, until in 1893, the neighborhood, to the number of
thirty, devoted a day to clearing away the undergrowth. A
subscription paper was again circulated and the sum of
$262.00 was contributed and accepted by the town in town
meeting assembled, as a permanent fund, the income of which
forever should be expended in the care of the “South Side
Cemetery,” a designation adopted at that time.

INSCRIPTIONS.

Ezra Batchelder | Died | Sept, i, 1881 | /Et. 68 yrs. 7 m’s.
13 days. I Father.

SOUTH SIDE CEMETERY INSCRIPTIONS.

Mary A. Clark | Died | Dec. 14, 1851 | JEt. 33.

It must be so — our Father Adam’s fall
And disobedience brought this lot on all.

All die in him — but hopeless should we be
Blessed Revelation, were it not for thee.

Here Lyes the Body of | M*"®- Annar Cummings | wife to
M^- David Cummings | Born in the Year 1710, | died Feb”'^ y
9"' 1741.

For thee, sweet spirit, we are left to mourn.

From Parents, Brothers, Sister, Lover, torn;

Untimely summoned in thy youthful bloom.

To thy long slumber in the silent tomb.

But the sweet promise of the God of love.

Bids us to hope that we shall meet above.

Here Lyes the Body of | M*’- David Cummings | of Tops-
field I Born April y 15, 1698 | died April® 2, 1765 | Aged 67
years.

Rest sacred shade, I bring no pompous lays.

To swell thy virtues with vain human praise;

From opening skies may streaming glories shine.

And saints embrace thee with a love like mine.

And their son William Porter, | who died Sept. 3, 1814, |
Aged 19 months.

Affliction’s semblance bends not o’er thy tomb.

Affliction’s self deplores thy early doom.

Mr. I David Cummings | died | March 22, 1826, | ^t. 64.

A tender Husband, Father dear,

A much lamented Friend lies here;

When Christ returns to call him forth.

The rising day will show his worth.

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord,
for they rest from their labours
and their works do follow them.

SOUTH SIDE CEMETERY INSCRIPTIONS.

See there the youth whose cheerful bloom i

Promised a train of years to come, |

When death derides the expected joy, J

And all the flattering hopes destroy.

Hiram | Son of Sylvester & | Judith Cummings | died Feb.

2, 1816. I aged I day.

Happy the babe who priveleg by fate
To shorter labour & a lighter weight
Received but yesterday the gift of breath
Ordered tomorrow to return to death.

Mrs. Hitte Cummings | Wife of | Mr. David Cummings |
died Oct. 10, 1831, | aged 66 years.

Although my body is now entombed
And mouldering into dust;

A dying Jesus has perfumed
The graves of all the just.

28, 1805. I Died I March 26, 1875.

At thy right hand there are pleasures for ever more.

I ^t. 64 years.

Our nearest earthly friend.

Sleeps here in silent dust
A Husband, Father kind
A friend of dearest worth.

M*'®- Susanna Cummings. ‘ [Fort stone.]

Mary T. Dale, | Daughter of | Osgood & Susanna | Dale
I Died Aug. 3, 1845 1 I Aged 14 yrs.

Happy One thy days are ended.

All thy youthful days below.

Go by angel guards attended.

To the arms of Jesus go.

SOUTH SIDE CEMETERY INSCRIPTIONS.

I2I

In memory of | Enos Esty, | who died | February 24,
1848, I JEt. 76 yrs.

“Heaven gives us friends to bless the
present scene, resumes them, to prepare
us for the next.”

Eunice | wife of | Enos Esty. | Died Nov. 4, 1851 | ^t.

77.

Man passeth soon; his earliest breath
Is but the promise sure of death;

From being’s dawn to darkling age.

The grave his certain heritage.

Sacred | To the Memory of | Miss. Mary Estey. | who
died I April 15, 1846, | Aged 80.

Here Lyes the Body of | M*'®' Mary Herrick | wife to M^-
Nehemiah Herrick | Born April ® 15, 1741 | died April ® 18,
1768 I in ® 27 year of Hur Age.

Our Father calls us to his arms.

And willingly we go

With cheerfulness we bid farewell

To every thing below.

William Homan, | died at sea | Aug. 31 1823. | ^t. 37. |
Abigail, | his wife died | Aug. 20, 1852, | /Et 71.

Hitty C. I daugh* of Samuel | & Nabby Hood, | died April
6, 1821, I aged i week.

Happy infant eady blest.

Rest in peaceful slumbers rest.

Sally C. I daughter of Samuel | & Nabby Hood, | died
Sept. 29, 1815, I aged 16 months.

Rest sweet child in gentle slumbers,

Till the resurrection morn.

Then arise & join the numbers
That its triumphs shall adorn.

SOUTH SIDE CEMETERY INSCRIPTIONS.

Moses Horne | died | Oct. 28, 1869, | 83 y’rs. 5 mo’s

I & 26 d’s.

“There’s rest for us in heaven;”

O, blissful words are they ;

That hope to us is given
Of an immortal day.

In memory of | Sally, | Wife of | Moses Horne | Died
Sept. 12, 1851, I JEt. 64.

Farewell, husband and children dear,

Farewell, to lands below my Jesus calls,

And I must go to lands above,

Where seraphs bow and bend the knee,

O that’s the land, the land for you and me.

Elen M. | wife of | George H. Johnson, | Died | Oct. 22,
1869, I /Et. 24 yrs. 6 mos.

George H. Johnson | Sept. 4, 1835 I E 1896.

Henry Johnson | Died | Feb. 3, 1873. | ^t 78 yrs. 9 mos.

Sarah J. | wife of | George H. Johnson. | Died | Dec. 29,
1886 I ALt. 48 yrs. 6 mos.

& 3. ni’s. Pike Monument.

Pike Monument.

Pike Monument

Benjamin F. Pike | Died Sept, ii, 1855, | Aged 22 yrs.
10 mos. I Ithemar E. Pike | Died May 14, 1866, | Aged 28
yrs. 1 1 mos.

SOUTH SIDE CEMETERY INSCRIPTIONS.

Alethina P. Pike | Died Apr. 6, 1844, | Aged 14 yrs. 6
mos. I Minerva A. Pike | Died Sept. 28, 1842, | Aged 2 yrs.
3 mos.

Charlotte H. Porter | Died | Feb. 16, 1840, | /E. 17 y’rs.
3 m’s.

Dearest sister thou hast left us,

And thy loss we deeply feel ;

But tis God that has bereft us,

He can all our sorrows heal.

In memory of | Mr. | Daniel Porter | who died | Jan. 28,
1831, I JEt. 88.

Hiram C. Porter | Died | Jan. 3, 1852, | AL. 33 y’rs. 6 m’s.

' Brother thou art gone to rest.

Thine is an earthly tomb;

But Jesus summond thee away.

Thy Savior called the home.

Ira Porter, | ALt. 90 yrs. 17 dys, | Born | July 8, 1791, [
Died July 25, 1881.

Nathaniel Porter | Died | Mar. 8, 1849, | yF^t. 77 y’rs. 4 m’s.

Permelia Porter | wife of | Allen Porter | died March 27,
1837, 1 Aged 47.

In memory of | Mrs. Sarah, | Relict of Mr. Daniel Porter,
I who died | Nov. 24, 1833, | JEt. 89.

George Prince, | Died | May. 12. 1867, | Aged 78 yrs.

Hattie S. | wife of | John W. Ray | died Feb. 3, 1879, |
JEt. 32 y’rs.

“Sheltered and safe from sorrow.”

We mourn thy absence,

Yet would ne’er recall thee from thy rest;

Believing thou art dwelling now
In Heaven among the blest.

124

SOUTH SIDE CEMETERY INSCRIPTIONS.

Relentless death regards not worth nor years.

A parents fondness nor a husbands tears,

Nor childrens wants with urgent claims could save
Their tender parent from the insatiate grave.

Caroline F. | dau. of Joseph & Hannah | Towne | died |
May 27, 1865 I aged 48 y’s. 2 m’s.

We’ve laid thee, loved one neath the sod
All free from care.

Thy spirit pure hath sought its God
In mansions fair.

Sadly we miss thee here below.

And grieve thy voice no more to know,

Kind words thou ever didst bestow,

Our griefs didst share.

Charles Sewall | son of | Daniel & Fanny Towne | Died
Jan. 18, 1853, I 9 y’rs & 2 d’s.

This tender bud from earth was torn.

And left its parents here to mourn
The object of their love;

But parents, let your tears be dry.

Your loving child now lives on high
And dwells with Christ above.

Cynthia, | Daughter of | Joseph & Hannah | Towne, |
Died Apr. 8, 1835, I y^*s-

Cyrus, I Son of | Joseph & Hannah | Towne, | Died Mar.
6, 1834, I JEt. 17 mos.

Daniel Towne | Died | June 22, 2845, | ^4-

David Towne | Died | March 17, 1862, | Aged 82 yrs.

‘Tn a full age, like as a shock of
corn cometh in in his season.”

Gone but not forgotten | David Towne, | Died Sept. 15,
1878, I Aged 63 yrs. 6 mos.

A husband kind a father dear,

A true friend lies sleeping here.

SOUTH SIDE CEMETERY INSCRIPTIONS.

125

Frances Abby, | dau. of | Daniel & Fanny Tovvne | Died
I May 20, 1856, I ^t. 16 y’rs. 10 mo’s. 16 d’s.

“Be ye also ready; for in such an hour
as ye think not the son of man cometh.”

George Irving, | Son of | Sewell L. & Mary A. | Towne
I died Jan. 30, i860, | ^t. 6 y’rs. 2 mo’s. & 10 days.

Farewell vain world. I’m going home,

My Savior smiles and bids me come.

Sweet angels beckon me away,

To sing God’s praise in endless days.

Hannah | wife of | Joseph Towne | Died Oct. 28, 1835, 1
Ait. 48.

John P. Towne | died | Mar. 16, 1862, | aged 22 y’s. 3 m’s.

So fair, so young, so gentle, so sincere.

So loved, so early lost, demands a tear.

In memory of | Joseph Towne son of | M*" Joseph & M''®
Martha | Towne who died Oct. 28 1795 | ^tat 8.

Tis God that lifts our comforts high
Or sinks them in the grave.

He gives and blessed be his name
He takes but what he gave.

Joseph Towne, | died | July 8, i860, | ^t. 75 y’rs. 8 mo’s.
& 14 days.

“For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Yet again we hope to meet thee.

When this dream of life is o’er.

Lucy Ellen | dau. of | Daniel & Fanny Towne | Died |
Dec. 5, i860 I JEt. 14 y’s. ii m’s. 10 d’s.

We know that God has but recalled.

The gem that he had given;

And though the casket moulders here.

Our jewel is in Heaven.

126

PETITION FROM DAN CLARKE.

Two lovely buds of promise fair,

Here blossomed for a time,

Then was transfer’d from parents care
To Heavens purer clime;

There their young spirits sweetly rest,

Enfolded on their Savior’s breast.

Mary Towne | Died | June 12, 1862, | Aged 84 yrs.

Moses A. I Son of | Joseph & Hannah | Towne, | Died
Sept. 2, 1815, I jEt. 2 yrs. & 9 mos.

PETITION FROM DAN CLARKE, 1758.

Gentlemen, altho it is a time of Sorrow and Trouble
with me & my family as I have a Large quantity of Speritous
Liquors by me I humbly Desire that youll be so kind as to
give me your Approbation to keep a Publick House this year
and in so Doing youll much Oblige your Hum^^® Ser^-

Dan Clarke.

To the Slectmen of Topsfield.
Topsfield, June 16^^’ 1758.

CAPT. NEHEMIAH HERRICK’S REVOLUTIONARY
SERVICE, WITH HISTORICAL NOTES.

Albany, N. K, January 21, 184.^;.

Dear Sir,

I am endeavouring to procure a pension for the
widow of Nehemiah Herrick, who was a Captain from your
Town in the War of the Revolution, and am refered by the
commissioner of pensions for your Town, for record evidence
of his services. I have procured a certificate relating to his
services from the Secretary of State, which appears as fol-
lows, viz. : “The name of Nehemiah Herrick of Topsfield

is borne upon a pay roll of Capt. Joseph Gould from April
19th 1775 — 5 Days as Sergeant. There are no rolls of said
Gould after that time in this office. The name of Nehemiah
Herrick is signed to a roll of men as Captain, raised by the
Town of Topsfield to serve three years or during the war
1777 dated Feb’y i8th 1778. The name of Nehemiah Her-
rick is signed to a roll of men as Captain raised by the Town
of Topsfield to go to Fishkill for nine months under a re-
solve of Apl 20th 1778, dated Sept. 14th 1778; upon an ad-
ditional return of two men enlisted into the continental ser-
vice to serve my company April 9th 1778; upon a roll of
men enlisted from said Town of Topsfield to serve nine
months under a resolve of June 9th 1779 as Captain.” In
reply to which, the commissioner says, “The name of Nehe-
miah Herrick does not appear upon the records of the Mas-
sachusetts rolls in this office and the only service satisfactor-
ily established by the certificate of the Secretary of State is
five Days as a Sergeant in 1775,” he also adds, “That evi-
dence of the length of the Alleged service as a Captain from
Topsfield must be procured. The Town Clerks office or the
Town rolls from Topsfield in the office of the Secretary of
State should shew any service he may have performed as a
Captain from that Town.”

I would remark that they were married in that Town, a
certificate of which has been obtained, in which it appears

(127)

CAPT. NEHEMIAH HERRICK’S

that he was recognized by the clergyman as a Captain.

I desire to enquire if you can give me any information
that will lead to the necessary evidence, either by oral or
record evidence. If there are no other records of his servi-
ces perhaps there may be some persons living who knew him
or served under him in the war. I should think from the
purport of the above certificate & other circumstances con-
nected with the case, he must have performed considerable
service as Captain, and if you can render any assistance you
will confer a great favour upon the old Lady who is very
poor & destitute, and oblige me, at the same time I shall be
in the event of success to fully compensate you, & it will af-
ford-me pleasure to do so. * * *

Yours very respectfully,

Wm. Valentine,

J. P. Towne, Esq., Albany, N. Y.

Clerk, Topsfield, Mass.

The following notes were taken by J. P. Towne during the
month of February 1845 written on the margins of

the foregoing letter. — Editor.

Nath. Porter, 73 yrs. old last October. Cant remember
any thing about Capt. Herrick going into army. Does re-
member hearing Capt. H. talk about his being out but how
long a time he said he was out he (P.) cannot remember or
what part of the war ; thinks it must have been in early part
of war & before he was old enough [to] know anything
about it. Never tho’t Capt. H. was out a long time but can-
not say. Has heard him tell about being in a skirmish or
battle. He was a Capt. here but never heard of ' his being
in the army but has heard of being a serjeant & about 8 men.

Miss Mary Towne has heard he (Herrick) was Capt. here
— knows nothing about his being in the army.

Nath. Fisk, born Dec. 1764, 80 yrs. Dont remember
hearing Capt. Herrick say anything about being out in army
or any other person say he was out — knew him well. At the
taking of Burgoine (or that way he thinks?) a man by name
of Low was wounded in the ankle by a ball — died as he
thinks in consequence of this wound. At time of Lexing-
ton affair Thos. Towne came to his Fathers to give the alarm.
His father, uncle Sam, Mr. Dwinell, Jeremiah Towne & Wm.

REVOLUTIONARY SERVICE.

129

T. (jr?) went (now Dea. Peabody place). His Father and
some others went on foot b'lt did reach. Thinks they went
by Middleton.

Elijah Perkins> 79. Dec. 16. Knew Capt. H. Knows
nothing about his being in the army. At school on South
side of River day of Lexington battle. When he came home
after school at night every man in this (his) neighborhood
had gone except Dr. Baker (who lived between the“ Brad-
street farms) who was not a sound man (“kind of a broken
man.”) Capt. B. Gould, Archelaus Perkins, Jno. Lefavor,
Amos Low (Father lived where David Hobbs now does)
Ivory Hovey, Hodgkins, D. Hobbs & i or 2 others at taking
Burgoine. Gun of his cousin Ar.[chelaus] would not go off
(British retreating) & Capt. G. told him to throw it down
take up another — took up one of British which he kept as
long as he lived. Capt. G. & his cousin A. took the first
cannon that was taken in the battle. Has heard that cannon
was in a .

Elizabeth Towne, 84 yrs of age. P'eb. 19, last. Thinks
it likely Capt. H. out but can’t rem. anything in particular
about it. Has heard her father (or “her folks,” her father
& uncle Elijah) say that 3 brothers & one sister came fr.
Eng. together named Jacob, Joseph & Jesse Towne Joseph
settled where she (Elizabeth) now lives. The sister married
a Browning of Danvers. Capt. Ezra Towne was in Bunker
hill fight — he went from New Ipswich where he had lived
some yrs. His brother Edmund went to New I. (fr. Tops-
field) at same time he did.

Enos Estey, 73 yrs., lOth of Decern., last. Knew Capt.
Herrick worked with him, a few days several times, dont re-
member hearing him or any body say any thing about his
being out in the army. His grandmother once at door heard
a pig squeal & on looking up saw a pig being carried by a
Bear from somewhere Bill Bradstreets way (they pursued)
killed the bear. His grandmother sd. used keep tied at door
(a horse?) for the purpose of using in fleeing to the fort if
Indians came. The Fort was on South East part of Tread-
wells plain towards David Perkins. He (E) has ploughed
up old dishes, pieces of bricks where he thinks the Fort stood.
Thinks Indians passed up & down the River after his grand-

130

CAPT. HERRICK’S SERVICE.

mother came here doubts about any making their home

in this town at that time but thinks they did in Boxford.
His grandmother came from Lynn when i6 }ts. old. Mar-
ried at Lynn — came here on horseback. Thinks she sd. when
she came the River meadows were mostly covered with woods.
Thinks some places were clear of woods.

Mrs. Peabody, Dea. P’s mother said she “had tho’t of them
pretty much as they are now” or some thing of this kind.
There might have been trees on parts or by the Road. “New
Meadows” was the ist name of this place. (Written P'eb.
28, ’49.)

Mrs. Peabody wid. of Jno. P. & mother of present Dea. P.
80 yrs. 1 6th March next. Cant say that ever she heard that
he (Capt. Herrick) was out in the war. Mrs. P. subsequently
remarked that “the more she tho’t of it the more she tho’t
he was out.” It appeared rather to be her belief that he was
out but in what capacity (private or officer)^ she could not
say. Remembers the day of Bunker [Hill] battle, consider-
able No. of people (she thinks women & children perhaps 20
or 30) were on the hill. Could see the smoke & hear the guns.

Dominick Moore, 75 yrs. i8th day of June last. He was
going with his brother after his fathers horses the ist or 2d
yr. of the war, was going on the road where Nat. Porter now
lives & saw them grinding corn stalks for molasses at Capt.
Herricks now Nat. P’s not far from the time of cutting stalks.

He has heard Capt. Herrick say he was out in the army

remembers his coming to his fathers as he understood soon
after his return from the army, but what time in the war it

was he (Moore) cannot say should think he (H) was not

out in the war a long time dont know if he was a Capt.

in the army. At time burning of Cn. (Bunker H. battle)

he, Moore, lived at the small house by J. Balch’s at time

of B. Hill battle he has heard that David Balch was hoeing on
hill, heard cannon & Balch & he thinks (M.) a good many
others started but how far they went he dont know. Thinks
the River Meadow was mostly covered with woods when this
place was first settled. There was once a house on Perkins
Island, East of Joshua Towne’s. He has seen bricks & ap-
pearances of a cellar name of man that lived there was

Perkins.

CUMMINGS BURYING GROUND INSCRIPTIONS.

COPIED BY GEORGE CLINTON DONALDSON.

This private burying ground, located in the easterly
part of the town, was set aside for burial purposes at an
early date. Here lie over one hundred of those who lived
in the vicinity, which, until 1774, was a part of the town of
Ipswich. The Cummings, Smith, and Lamson families here
lie buried. But few stones now remain and these are of com-
paratively recent date.

Mrs. I Eunice Cummings, | Consort of | Mr. Elijah Cum-
mings. I Died Dec. 13, 1813, | JE. 50.

My flesh shall slumber in the ground
Till the last trumpet’s joyful sound.

Then burst the chains with sweet surprise,

And in my Savior’s image rise.

In Memory of | Mr. William P. Cummings | who died |
Aug. 12, 1842. I Aged 24.

My friends prepare to meet thy God,

He carmly said,

As with a smile,

His spirit fled.

In such a time ye think not
the Savior cometh.

“Asleep in Jesus blessed sleep.”

In Memory Of. | M. William Smith. | who died. | Feb. i,
1841. I Aged 65.

Be ye also ready.

(131)

NEWSPAPER ITEMS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.

COPIED FROM THE FILES OF SALEM NEWSPAPERS
BY GEORGE FRANCIS DOW.

Letters at Salem Post Office,
Dec. 31, 1800.

Dr. Nehemiah Cleaveland,

Topsfield.

William Emerson, do.

Salem Gazette, Jan. 6, 1801.

DIED. — At Topsfield, Mr.
Thomas Perkins, aged 75. A
worthy and respectable old gen-
tleman. Salem Impartial Reg-
ister, Jan, 8, 1801.

MARRIED.— At Topsfield,
Mr. Joseph Killam, of Boxford,
to Miss Nabby Bradstreet, of the
former place.

Salem Gazette, Mar. j, 1801.

DIED. — At Topsfield, Mrs.
Joseph Cummings, aged 80;
Mr. Moses Bradstreet, aged 28.
Salein Gazette, Nov. j, 1801.

MARRIAGE.— At Topsfield,
Mr. John Cummings to Miss
Rebecca Balch.

Salem Gazette, Dee. /, 1801.

New Music, of the best style,

JUST PUBLISHED,

and for sale by

Cushing & Appleton.

THE ESSEX HARMONY,

an original Composition, in three
and four parts. By JACOB KIM-
BALL, jun., A. B. Author of the
“Rural Harmony.”

Music’s bright influence, thrilling
thro’ the breast.

Can lull e’en raging anguish into
rest;

And oft its wildly, sweet-enchant-
ing lay

So Fancy’s magic heaven steals the
rapt thought away.

Salem Gazette, Maj j, 1801.

DIED. — At Topsfield, Wid-
ow Mary Towne, aged 82.
Salem Gazette, Dec. 75, 1801.

DIED. — At Topsfield, Miss
Rebecca Gallop, aged 55.
Salem Gazette, Dec. 2^, 1801.

(132)

NEWSPAPER ITEMS.

133

At Topsfield, on Monday
night the 9th instant a respect-
able number of the citizens as-
sembled at Mr. Kimball’s, and
after partaking of an elegant
supper, the following toasts were
given :

1. President Jefferson: — May
he ever support the Constitution,
and may he be cloathed with
Political Salvation — and may
the Republicans shout aloud for
joy.

2. The Vice President: — May
his great abilities be displayed
in the support of Liberty, and
the downfall of Tyranny.

3. The Constitution of the
United States of America: —
May its rights never be violated.

4. Our Republican PTiends:
— May they be as numerous as
the people of America. A Song.

5. May all the enemies of our
Liberty be converted to Friends
or to Salt Petre to be used in
its defence. Three Cheers.

6. Our old President Adams :
— May his last days be as hap-
py, as his former have been
useful.

7. The Commonwealth of
Massachusetts: — May its Elec-
tions be ever free from intrigue,
and may its citizens be as virtu-
ous, as they are industrious.

8. The first Monday of April,
and Mr. Gerry. Three Cheers.

9. The Treaty with France:
—May it be a happy means of

reconciling the two Republics.

10. Our little Navy : — May it
protect our commerce, from all
insults.

1 1. The Ministers of the Gos-
pel : — May they never forget to
pray for the President and Vice
President.

12. The Poor of our land : —
May the warming hand of char-
ity, be ever near to their relief.

13. The Town of Topsfield:
— Although small among the
thousands of America, yet may
it never be the last in the cause
of Liberty and Virtue. Six
Cheers.

14. The Youth of our land :
— May they ever pursue the
paths of virtue-, and contend for
the liberty of their country.

15. The advocates for Britain :
— May they see themselves
coming out of the “little end of
the horn.” Three Cheers.

16. The Fair Sex: — May they
ever hold a place in our hearts
equal to their worth.

VOLUNTEERS.

By Mr. Kimball. Success to
President Jefferson: — May he
support the constitution equal
to Adams or Washington.

Three Cheers.

May the blood and treasure,
that has been spent in defence
of Liberty, be remembered ’till
the latest posterity. Salem Im-
partial Register, Mar. 16, 1801.

NEWSPAPER ITEMS

Census inTopsfield for 1800:
Males, 375; Females, 408;
Blacks, 5 ; Total, 788.

Census in 1790, 780, increase
8. Salem Impartial Register,
April 20, 1801 .

PUBLIC ROADS.

Mr. Carlton,

Among the most
satisfactory evidences of the
flourishing state of a country,
and of the wisdom and sound
policy of its government, is the
attention which is paid to those
improvements and regulations,
which tend to facilitate the in-
tercourse between the different
parts of it, by means of good
roads, canals, and bridges. The
continual labour and experience
exerted in straightening, widen-
ing and repairing the public
roads, in the states of Newhamp-
shire, Newyork, and Pennsyl-
vania and the general im-

proved state of the roads, to-
gether with the western turn-
pikes in this state, are happy
testimonials of the flourishing
state of our country, and of the
attention paid to these import-
ant objects, by the respective
Legislatures of these states.

The rapid increase in popula-
tion, and the consequent in-
creased culture of hitherto un-
cultivated lands in various parts
of the country, create a contin-
ual demand for new means of

commercial intercourse and new
means of communication by
the establishment of new lines
of post. Provided such estab-
lishments can do any thing con-
siderable towards their own sup-
port, they can scarcely be too
greatly multiplied. Every new
road opens a new source of
wealth to the district through
which it passes — and throughout
the whole course of it, presents
a kind of thorough fare for the
fabricating and vending of all
sorts of home manufactures.
Shoe-makers, Blacksmiths, Hat-
ters, Wheelwrights, Chairmak-
ers. Clock and Watch-makers,
Coopers, dealers in Corn and
Grain, Retailers, Venders of for-
eign manufacturers, line these
county roads at convenient dis-
tances, and exchange their la-
bour or their commodities for
the produce of their own coun-
try, or goods and raw materials
imported from abroad. The
shops on these roads may be
considered as so many maga-
zines, and Emporiums of traffic
for the internal parts. Foreign
commodities are brought to the
doors of these magazines, from
whence they are distributed
through an almost infinite num-
ber of smaller channels, which
every where divide and inter-
sect the most remote parts of
the interior country.

Of great importance also is it

RELATING TO TO PS FI ELD.

135

to straighten and alter the
course of old roads — directing
them in such a manner as to
avoid all those obstacles which
impede the traveller, or increase
the labour of the team. Among
these the principal are, narrow
confined passages, low and
sloughy places, and long or
steep hills. When it is consid-
ered, for example, that a hill
which might be avoided, of 80
rods ascent, passed over by 100
travellers in a day, will make a
general amount of 8000 rods of
different and superfluous labor,
the seeming shortness of the
distance should not any longer
be made a pretence for the con-
tinuance of such an impediment.
It retards the public 8000 rods
in a day, that is 9000 miles near-
ing in a year. It is the greatest
importance too, for the improve-
ment of the domestic commerce
of any country, that the means
of communicating by post
should be as much as possible fa-
cilitated and multiplied. There
is a kind of stagnation of this
kind of commerce in these parts
where this intercourse is not es-
tablished. There are many who
wish to purchase and many who
wish to sell, who remain equally
ignorant of these opportunities
and each others wishes, for want
of such an established inter-
course.

In the County of Essex, at

the present time, the mail trav-
erses only two sides of it — that
is, on the sea board, and on its
northern boundary. All the
central parts of this populous
country, must communicate
with distant places, through one
or other of these lines of post
from which they are about
equally distant. The mail from
Boston passes through Wilming-
ton and Andover to Haverhill —
and on the sea coast, through
Salem and Ipswich to Newbury-
port — thus describing two lines
which embrace the body of the
county between them.

As some of the most fertile
lands in the county lie towards
its central points, THERE also
must be supposed to be a pro-
portionate degree of popula-
tion ; and in those parts, conse-
quently must be experienced
many inconveniences from the
great distance to any of the lines
of post. Such inconveniences
ought, and no doubt will in due
season be remedied.

There is already an excellent
road which intersects the county
into nearly two equal parts —
leaving the present post line at
Salem, and rejoining it at Ha-
verhill. This road possesses
great “capabilities.” The great-
ly increased, and daily increas-
ing travel on this road, from
Canada, Cohoss, and all the
back country, through Haverhill

NEWSPAPER ITEMS

136

to. the sea coast, — and from
Boston and Salem, thro’ Dan-
vers, Topsfield, Boxford and
Bradford to Haverhill, Exeter
and Portsmouth, as well as the
back country, entitles it to the
consideration of the Post Mas-
ter General as a post road. A
mail coach on this road, would
after a short period, participate
in the advantages of the travel,
at present thro’ Wilmington and
Andover to Haverhill, Exeter
and Portsmouth — and the sepa-
rate travel belonging to the road
itself, would be no inconsidera-
ble object.

The only obstacles that pre-
sent themselves on this road to
carriages, are the height and
length of some of the hills — in
other respects it is a good road.
The principal of these hills, lies
in the town of Topsfield, adjoin-
ing the Bridge. It is by far the
largest and most tedious one.
A set of horses in the run of a
season, with middling freights,
would be benefitted by travelling
three miles about rather than
pass over this hill. Its descent
may be about 100 rods — but on
a future occasion we shall be
more particular — and this des-
cent in many places is rapid.
It is obvious how difficult and
dangerous stich a hill must be to
teams and loaded carriages. —
Truth is, the country teams are
frequently obliged to put on an

additional pair of cattle — and
those in chaise find it conven-
ient and sometimes even neces-
sary, to walk up the hill to foot
to spare their horses. Many
dangerous accidents have from
time to time happened to trav-
ellers in descending this hill —
and much labor and trouble,
undoubtedly, a/w aj/s ^ittends as-
cending it. Considering it
therefore as a carriage road,
this hill must be looked on as a
very material obstacle — and in
the event of its becoming a mail
stage road, this hill would very
considerably increase the ex-
pence, difficulty and danger of
travelling. But it is conceived
that this impediment admits of
an easy remedy ; and it shall be
the business of a future paper
to offer some remarks on that
subject.

A Friend.

Topsfield, Oct. 20, 1801.

Salem Impartial Register,
Oet. 2g, 1801.

DIED. — At Topsfield, two
Children of Mr. Edmund Park-
er, of the dysentery — others of
the family dangerously ill. A
child of Mr. John Pe^'kins, of
the dysentery, Mr. Joseph
Cummins, of the dysentery, aged
upwards of 80.^ A child of Mr.
Moses Brad street — and a few
days after Mr. Bradstreet, the

RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.

father, aged 28, both of the dys-
entery. Mr. Brad street was a
young man who united to an
exemplary piety, uncommon at
his age, all those qualities which
form a good husband, parent,
citizen, and neighbor. He was
a man of few words, and was
never heard to speak ill of any
one. This together with the
general prudence of his conduct,
endeared him to all who knew
him — more especially as the
former of these qualities is not
apt to abound in small places.
He was a man of integrity and
punctuality in all his transactions
and has left an afflicted widow
and children, as well as all his
neighbours and acquaintance to
mourn and regret his loss —
Such a number of deaths in so
short a space of time, and of the
same disorder, has not happened
but once in that place in the
memory of the inhabitants.
About 30 years ago, Mr. Mat-
thew Peabody, his wife, and one
or two grandchildren, all lie dead
in the same house, of the dys-
entery— the two former were
buried in the same grave. Sa-
lem Impartial Register, Nov. 5,
1801.

DIED. — At Topsfield, Mrs.
Elizabeth Bradstreet, wife of
Mr. John Bradstreet, aged 83.
Salem Impartial Register, Nov.
16, 1801 .

DIED.— At Topsfield, Mr.
Robert Perkins, in the 73d year
of his age — An honest man, the
noblest work of God.

Salem Impartial Register, Nov.
12, 1801.

Letters at Salem Post Office,
Jan. I, 1802.

Billy Bradstreet, Topsfield.

Jonas Merriam, do.

Salem Register, Jan. 14., 1802.

DIED. — At Topsfield, John
Peabody, aged 7 1 . Salem Reg-
ister, Feb. ig, 1802.

MARRIED.— At Topsfield,
Mr. Thomas Moore to Miss Bet-
sey Nichols — Mr. Thomas Tal-
bot to Miss Jenny Groves — Mr.
John Boardman to Miss Rebec-
ca G o u 1 d . 5 alem Register, M a r.
I, 1802.

Letters at Salem Post Office,
April 3, 1802.

Stephen Cree, Topsfield.

Daniel Hobbs, do.

Rebecca Ingalls, do.

John Tood [Todd], do.

Salem Register, Apr. ig, 1802.

DIED. — ^At Topsfield, Mr.
Elisha Perkins, aged 49. Sa-
lem Gazette, June //, 1802.

NEWSPAPER ITEMS

FOUND.

On the 8th inst. at the Stable
of the Subscriber, a dark brown
MARE ; thick set, has some white
in her face, white hind feet and
trots all. The owner of the
Mare may have her again by
applying to the Subscriber,
proving property and paying
charges.

Daniel Porter.
Topsfield, May 1 1 .

Salem Gazette, May //, 1802.

The want of the means of in-
tercourse between this town and
the northern parts of the county
of Essex, has long been felt;
and we are happy to see, in the
Post-Master-General’s propos-
als for carrying the mails, that
one is to pass every P'riday from
this town to Haverhill and back,
through Danvers, Topsfield,
Boxford and Bradford. This,
it may be hoped will be a pre-
lude to the improvement of the
roads to the northward of us.

Salem Gazette, Jitiie zg, 1802.

Letters at Salem Post Office,
July I, 1802.

Samuel Hood, Topsfield.

Rev. Ashael Huntington, do.
Eleazer Lake, do.

John Merriam, do.

Salem Register, July 12, 1802.

DIP3D. — At Topsfield, Mr.
Samuel Gumming, aged 17, son
of the late Rev. Joseph Cum-
mings. Salem Gazette, July 2,
1802.

Married.— At Topsfield, Mr.
Jacob Towne to Miss Mary
Perkins. Salem Register, Sept,
g, 1802.

THE ESSEX HARMONY,

by Jaeob Kimball jun, (the best
American composition extant)
for sale by CusHiNG & Apple-
ton, — Also, Singing Books of
various kinds; and a New Edi-
tion of

COWPER’S POEMS.
Salem Gazette, Get. 8, 1802.

DIED. — At Topsfield, Miss
Hannah Perkins, aged 48,
daughter of Mr. Robert Perkins,
lately deceased. Salem Regis-
ter, Nov. 2g, 1802.

MARRIED. — At Topsfield,
Mr. Ebenezer Peabody to Miss
Mercy Perkins Salem Reg-
ister, Jan. ly, i8oj.

DIED. — At Topsfield, on the
3d instant, Mr. Simond Gould,
aged 93 years and 9 months.
Salem Register, Jan. 20, i8oj.

RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.

139

Among the letters remaining
at the Beverly Post Office Jan.
10, 1803, was one for Sarah
Cummings of Topsfield. Salem
Gazette, Jan. //, 180^.

Turnpike. — Some gentlemen
of Newburyport have it in con-
templation to carry a road strait
from that town to Boston, which
will of course run to the north-
ward of the seaports in this
county, and have no connexion
with the Salem turnpike. But
it is expected that an actual
measurement will discourage it,
by showing that the saving will
not be more than a mile more
than if brought strait to this
town. Salem Gazette, Feb. //,
1803.

The Legislature at their last
session incorporated a Turnpike
from Newburyport to Chelsea
bridge. Salem Register, M arch
14, 1803.

To be sold at PiLblic Auction on
Wednesday, 13th day of Apidl
next at 2 0 clock, P. M.

Four Acres in Bunker’s mead-
ow, (so called) in Topsfield. —
N. B. If it should be foul
weather, the sale will be the
next fair day (Sunday except-
ed).

E. Putnam, Ancfr.
Wenham, Mar. 29, 1803.

Salem Gazette, Apr. 3, 1803.

DIED. — At Topsfield — Da-
vid Perkins, aged 77. Salem
Register, Apr. 23, 1803.

DIED. — At Topsfield — Capt.
Daniel Boardman, aged 50.
Salem Register, May 3, 1803.

COMMUNICATED.

On Tuesday last was interred
at Topsfield, Capt. Daniel
Boardman, with every to-
ken of respect for his memory,
and sympathy for his afflicted
family. As it was on the day
assigned to military parade and
review, the militia company in
the town, the command of which
he had recently resigned, ap-
peared under arms on the occa-
sion, commanded by Capt.
Bradstreet, and went through
those movements and positions
usual on such occasions, attend-
ed with solemn music. — The
order and decorum of the mili-
tary, made a favorable impres-
sion on a numerous assemblage
of people. The solemnity ob-
servable on the occasion was
expressive of the public estima-
tion of an honest man, a good
neighbor, and a worthy citizen.

Salem Register, May g, 1803.

Topsfield. — We are sorry to
hear that this town, always cor-
rect in its politics, has not this

NEWSPAPER ITEMS

year chosen a Representative.
This continual giving ground
to the enemy will and by and by
firmly fix their power in Massa-
chusetts. Salem Gazette, May
20, iSoj.

DIED.— At Topsfield, Maj.
Joseph Gould, aged 77 — a man
long respected for his distin-
guished virtue, patriotism and
piety. Salem Register, June
16, 180J.

NOTICE is hereby given, to
all persons interested in the lay-
ing out the Newburyport
Turnpike Road in the County
of Essex. — That the Committee
appointed by the Court of Ses-
sions to lay out said way and to
estimate the damages any per-
son may sustain thereby, pro-
pose to meet at the head of
State street, in said Newbury-
port, on Monday the 1 8th July
inst. A. M. and thence proceed
upon the business of their ap-
pointment.

Thomas Perley,

per order.

Newburyport, July 12.

Salem Register, Aug. 8, i8oj.

Newburyport, Aug. 24.

NEW-TURNPIKE.

The workmen on the direct

Turnpike from this town to Bos-
ton, commenced the important
undertaking yesterday. It is to
run from the head of State street,
Newburyport, in as straight a
line as possible. The inhabi-
tants of New-England have long
gained attention for their enter-
prising and public spirit, and
the present undertaking may be
well said to justify this claim.

Salem Register, Aug. 2g, i8oj.

The Newbury-Port Turnpike
has begun. It will pass through
Topsfield and Danvers in our
vicinity. Salem Register, Aug.
2g, 1802.

MARRIED. — At Topsfield,
Mr. Stephen Hammond to
Miss Lydia Hood. Salem Reg-
ister, Sept. 12, 180J.

DIED. — At Topsfield, Mrs.
Mary Hobbs, consort of Mr.
Benjamin Hobbs, aet. 53 — a wo-
man highly useful to her family,
desirable to her friends and ac-
quaintance, and exemplary as a
Christian. Salem Register, Oct.
6, 1803.

DIED. — At Boxford, JOSHUA
Rea, killed by the wheels of his
waggon. Salem Register, Oct.
20, 1803.

RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.

MARRIED. — At Topsfield,
Mr. Ephraim Perkins, to Miss
Molly Perkins. Salem Ga-
zette y Ju7ie lOy 180J.

DIED.— At Beverly, Mr.
William Gallop, jun., former-
ly of Topsfield, aged 53. Sa-
lein Gazettey June i8o^.

FOUND.

On the road between Salem
and Rowley, a bundle of MUS-
LINET. The owner may have
the same by applying to the
Subscriber, proving property,
and paying charges.

Daniel Kneeland.

Near Ipswich line.
Topsfield, Aug. 5.

Salem GazettCy Aug. 5, i8og.

MARRIED.— At Topsfield,
Mr. John B. Cummings, to Miss
Patty Knowlton, of Hamilton.
Salem Gazette y Feb. j, 180^.

Nathaniel Hammond of Tops-
field, was administrator of the
estate of Benj. Raddin, of Mar-
blehead, mariner. Salein Ga-
zettCy Feb. gy 180^.

DIED. — At Topsfield, Mr.
Jonas Cummings, aged 40, of a
long and distressing sickness,
which he bore with that calm-
ness that betokens the Christian

mind. He has left a widow and
three daughters to lament the
loss of an effectionate husband
and fond parent. In him soci-
ety has lost a worthy member,
and his numerous and respecta-
ble friends and acquaintance
a friend indeed.

Salem Gazette y Feb. 21 y 180^.

MARRIED.— At Topsfield.
Mr. Daniel Boardman, to Miss
Elizabeth Gould. Salem Reg-
ister y March 22 y i8o.f.

MARRIED.— At Topsfield,
Mr. Humphrey Wildes, to Miss
Nabby Peabody.

MARRIED.— AtRowley, Mr.
Benjamin Hobes of Topsfield,
to Miss Mehitable Searl, of
the former place.

MARRIED.— At Wenham,
Mr. Thomas Perkins jun. of
Topsfield, to Miss Sally
Knowles of the former place.

Salein Registery July p, 180/J..

Notice is hereby given to all
persons interested, that the com-
mittee appointed by the Honor-
able Court of Sessions for the
County of Essex, to locate the
NewburyportTurnpike Road
and to estimate the damage any
persons may sustain by said
road passing over their lands,
have appointed to meet at the

142

NEWSPAPER ITEMS.

Dwelling-House of Matthew
Newall, Inn-holder, in Lynnfield,
on Monday, the 13th day of
August inst., at ii o’clock, A.
M., for the purpose of finishing
the business of their appoint-
ment.

Nath’l Marsh, Chairman.
Haverhill, August 3rd, 1804.
Salem Register, A7ig. p, 180/j..

DEATHS. — Killed instantly,
by the falling in of the earth,
while at work on the Turnpike,
in Topsfield, on the 19th of July
last, Jonathan Hoyt, aged 20 ;
an active and industrious young
man from Concord (N. H.)
He was valued by his employers,
esteemed and beloved by his
acquaintance, and his sudden
and awful death is lamented by
all who knew him. His remains
were interred on the Saturday
following attended by a respect-
able number of the inhabitants
of the town, as well as a numer-
ous procession of those engaged
in the same undertaking, whose
decency and propriety of beha-
vior witnessed their sorrow for
the solemn event, and their sym-
pathy for the afflictive stroke,
which the Friends and relations
of the deceased have sustained.

Salejji Gazette, Aug. ij, i8o/j..

DIED. — At Hamilton, Mrs.
Dodge, wife of Deacon Solo-

mon Dodge, of Topsfield, aged
60. Salem Register, Sept. 10,
1804.

The Storm. — From the coun-
try, generally, we learn that the
fruit andforest trees, fences, etc., :
have suffered greatly, and that 1
the roads in many places were
obstructed by them on Wednes- ^
day morning. A Topsfield gen-
tleman informs us, that many
cows and calves perished in the
severity of the storm in that ;
Town. Salem Gazette, Oet. 12, \

1804. j

Found. — A Red Morocco |
Pocket Book, containing a num-
ber of Bank Bills, near the Tops-
field Meeting House. The

owner may have it again on ap-
plication to

Thomas Emerson.

Salem Gazette, Nov. 10, 1804.

NewbiLryport Turnpike. — 25
miles of the road are made ;
bridges built over six rivers ;
hills reduced in some instances

25 feet; two houses of enter-
tainment built, one of which is
now open for travellers ; and it
is expected the whole route of

26 miles (from Newburyport to
Malden road) will be open early
in the spring. Salem Gazette,
Dec. 28, 1804.

COURT RECORDS RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.
SALEM QUARTERLY COURT.

COPIED BY GEORGE FRANCIS DOW.

Jeffery Estie of Salem was presented at Court for much
sleeping in church on the Lord’s Day. lO mo. 1642.

Files, Vol. I., p. 9.

August 13^^ 1642.

Knowe all men by these p^nts that I William Hughs of
New Meadowes have demised granted bargained and sould
for divers goode causes and considerations mee there unto
movinge but more especially for th[e] [s]ome of thirty eight
pounds in hand pd the receipt whereof I acknowledge as al-
soe for the assurance of the some of eighteen pounds more to
bee pd to mee the sd William my heires executors adminis-
trators or assigns at or before the fourteenly day of October
next ensewinge the date hereof, have demised graunted as-
signed set over and sould unto Richard Barker of Quicho-
chock, 3 yearlinge hifers 2 yerling bulls at twelve pounds
ten shillings twoe kine at tenne pounds 4 calves at 3^ one
house and house lot of 7 acres broken [ ] and twoe vnbroake,
with all the come mee there vnto belonginge as allsoe twelve
loads of hay with all the straw of the Come there grow at
the farme of M'’ Paine where the sd William now lives at
tenne pounds all these above sd pticulars it may bee lawfull
for the sd Richard his heires or assignes, to sell assigne or
dispose of as his owne pp right in witness whereof I have
heere vnto set my hand.

Willm Hughes [seal]

Test, [ffida] Ottery

John Huges. Files, Vol. I. 15.

According to deposition, Walter Roper took his oath in
the Court at Dover in the 8‘'' mo. 1645, regarding a horse.

Files, Vol. I. 71.

(H3)

SALEM COURT RECORDS

John Burton of Salem was presented, with Giles Corey and
two others, for sleeping in time of their watch and had their
arms taken away from them. Files, Vol. I. 90.

Zacheus Curtties of Salem was presented at Court 30, 10
mo. 1647 taking off tobacco in the open streete.

Files, Vol. I. 90.

Joseph Bigsby of Ipswich, husbandman, gave marriage
bond 15, 10 mo. 1647, with widow Sarah Hearde of Ips.
(wid. of Luke) to educate and care for her two children by
Luke. Her father’s name was John Wyat. Files, Vol. I. 95.

Joseph Bigsby departed the jurisdiction of the Court and
was obliged to give above bond in consequence, on com-
plaint of John Wyat. Files, Vol. I. 96.

Alexander Knight of Ipswich was presented at Court 10,
8 mo. 1650, for lying, the wit. were Mark Symonds, good-
wife Perry, Robert Lord, goodman How and Richard Cooke.

Files, Vol. I. 1 17.

Thomas Hobbs was witness in the presentment of Henry
Reinolds of Salem for beating his wife. 10 mo. 1648.

Files, Vol. I. 106.

William Avery jr. was witness in the presentment of The-
ophilus Salter of Ipswich for lying. 8 mo. 1650.

Files, Vol. I. 1 17.

Elizabeth How of Ipswich testified in a suit brought by
John Bradstreet for defaming his character, i mo. 1651.

Files, Vol. I. 128.

Francis Uselton servant of Henry Jaques of Newbury was
presented at Court for using the name of God prophanely
and contemptuously in speech, i mo. 1651. Files, Vol. II. 3.

William Perkins witnessed will of Walter Tibbetts of Glou-
cester under date of June 5, 1651. Files, Vol. II. 26.

Mr. William Perkins, Gloucester was witness in Court
against the wife of John Bourne of Gloucester accused of
stealing left off garments, thread, etc. under date of 4 mo.
1652. Files, Vol. II. 28.

RELATING TO TO PS FI ELD.

145

Mrs. Houlgrave, Gloucester, was presented at Court “ffor
reprochefull & unbeseeming speeches against m*" will : Per-
kins, an officer off a church, as namelye if it were not ffor
the Law, shee would never come to the meeting the Teacher
was soe dead, & accordinglye shee did seldome come and
& with all pswaded Goodwife Vincent to come to her house,
on the Sabath Daye, & and reade good bookes, affirming ;
that the Teacher were fitter to bee a Laydes chamber-man,
than to be in y® pulpit.” Files, Vol. II. 28.

The following writs were entered and returned 21,7 mo.
1652. Wm. Paine, Ipswich vs Daniel Clarke, attached Clarkes
farme to the amount of ^80, “for the forfiture of a farme
sould vnto him by the sayd William Payne for non payment,”
also Wm. Paine, Ipswich vs. Daniel Clarke, attached Clarkes
corn & hay to the value of 30 pounds on complaint of Wm.
Paine for “witholding a debt due vnto him of about twenty
one pounds vppon the shopp acompt,” also Wm. Paine, Ips-
wich vs John Wildes, attached house & land of said Wildes
to the value of ^12, on complaint of Wm. Paine for “an
action of debt of about seauen pounds dew vpon the shopp
account.” Files, Vol. II. 43.

Master Baker [Ipswich] was presented at Court “vpon
suspisian for breach of that order which requires six bushills
of mault to be put in to a hogshead of beare at thre penc
the quort.” 7th mo. 1652. Files, Vol. II. 46.

Edmund Bridges, Ipswich, was witness against Mr. Baker
above. 7th mo. 1652. Files, Vol. II. 53.

I William Auerill of Ipswich being weake in bodye'but of
pfect memorye doe make this my last will and testament first
I doe bequeath my body to the earth to be deasently buryed
in the Burying place of Ipswich my sperit int the hands of
my Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ. And for my outward
estate being but small I doe give vnto my children each of
them being seuen in number the some of hue shillings a
peece & the rest of my estate my debts being discharged I
give vnto Abagal my wife whom I make sole execotrix of

146

SALEM COURT RECORDS

this my last will in witness heerof I have heervnto sett my
hand and seale the 3th of the 4th mo: 1652.

Will

Andrew hodges. Aveirell.

Renold ffoster.

Proved in Court at Ipswich 29 March 1653.

Files, Vol. II. 54.

Inventory of the estate of William Averill of Ipswich, filed

29 Mar. 1653.

It.

hous : Lott & house

10 :oo :oo

It.

10 acres of vpland ground & 6 A® meddo

10:00:00

It.

2 Kine & 2 two-yer : old

16:00:00

It.

2 shoats

01 :oo :oo

It.

I Iron pott — I brass pott — i frying pan — 4
pewU platP — I flago" — i Iro" Ketle — i
brass Ketle — i Copp, i brass pan & some

oth*' smal things

02 : 17 :oo

It.

2 Chests — I feth*" bed — i oth*" bed — 2 payre
of sheets — 2 bolsU'' — 3 pillows — 2 blan-
ketts — I Covlid — i bedstead — & oth*" smal

linnen

05 : 10:00

It.

2 Coats & wearing appel

03 :oo:oo

It.

I warming pan

00:03: 00

It.

A tub 2 pails a few books

A Corslett

01 :oo:oo

what shee oweth 12:00:00

Reginold fosU

Andrew Hodg® Apprisers.

Files, Vol. II. 54.

Edmond Marshall [Gloucester] was attached to the
amount of ;^ioo, in a suit brought by Wm. Evans for de-
faming the wife of said Evans “in saying she was a witch or
words to that pirpose.” Warrant dated 4 Sept. 1653.

Piles, Vol. II. 79.

Daniell Broadley [Gloucester] testified in the above case
“the goodman marshall did say at my house that mistress
pirkins goody euens goody duch and goody vinsen that they

RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.

weare vnder suspisian of being witches and that he thought
that which was formerly by him and others was now come
forth.” Files, Vol. II. 79.

Mr. William Perkins brought suit and attached Christopher
Avery, Richard Boford and Robert Tucker in behalf of the
inhabitants of Gloucester, to the amount of ^50, for withold-
ing what is due him for his labors among them. Writ dated
15 Sept. 1653. Piles, Vol. II. 81.

Christopher Avery of Gloucester was presented at Court
Sept. 1653 “for many reprochfull & disgracefull speeches
against m*’ w“ Perkines theyr Teacher which speeches were
uttered in a publick Towne meeting both against the pson
& ministry of the sayde m*" Perkines.” The witnesses were
Wm. Evans, Richard Beeford, Wm. Vincent and Edward
Miles. Files, Vol. II. 86.

Robert Tucker of Gloucester was presented at Court Sept.
1653, “for useing many reprochfull speeches against m'' w“

Perkinss theyr Teacher him to in a very vn-

seemly manner also discouraging men for contributing to his
maintenance.” Files, Vol. II. 86.

Robert Dutch of Gloucester was presented at Court Sept.
1653, “for reproachfull speeches against m*‘ w“ Perkines in a
publick towne meeting.” P'iles, Vol. II. 86.

John Roe of Gloucester was presented at Court, Sept. 1653,
“for afronting m*" w™ Perkinss in the tyme of his preaching
the word in publicke.” Files, Vol. II. 86.

In case of Payne vs Gilman under date of Sept. 30, 1653,
both parties agreed upon “William Howard of Topsfield,” as
one of the arbitrators. Files, Vol. II. 107.

Goodman Isaac Cummings having claimed ownership to a
heifer in the possession of John Fuller and driven the same
to his home, suit was brought. John Avery was one of those
who testified He said he had lived with Goodman Cum-
mings during the past year and knew the heifer, etc. 28
Mar. 1654. Files, Vol. II. 126.

148

SALEM COURT RECORDS

George Hadley of Ipswich had “two servants” presented
at Court, March 1654. Files, Vol. II. 130.

William Howard had authority to issue writs of attach-
ment in 1654. (prob. was clerk of court.)

Files, Vol. II. 144.

William Goodhue, Ipswich, under date of March 1653,
leased “his farme” for 14 years to Robert Wallis and William
Smith both of Ipswich, they to “breake vp twelf accres of
ground and croscutt it and harrow it and alsoe a 6 accer lott
of meddow beyond gravelly brook as alsoe a parcel of med-
ow which lyeth in the medow in the thick woods att the vp-
per end of that medow mr Vincent haveing a parcell att the
lower end and the said William Goodhue is too build them a
hous and a barne the hous thirty foott long with two chim-
neys in the midst and the barne forty foott long with a lean-
too att the one end the sayd barne twenty foott wid and all-
soe foure bullocks four yeare old a peace for the which the
said Robert Wallis and William Smith is too fence the farm
in for the first yeares rentt and afterward too paye twentty
pownd a yeare for the terme of fourtteen yeares.”

Files, Vol. II. 153.

Robert Smith of Ipswich testified that he came to New
England in the same ship with Mr. Whittingham, which was
in the year 1638, as testified by another servant of Mr. Whit-
tingham, they coming from Boston in Lincolnshire, sailing in
May 1638 from London. Mar. 1655. Liles, Vol. III. 3-5.

Thomas Avery witnessed the will of John Bridgeman of
Salem not dated but proved in Salem Court Nov. 1655.
Larmer John Porter was one of the creditors of the estate.
Nov. 1655. Files. Vol. III. 31.

Rebecca Bacon, widow, Salem, in her will dated Mar. 23,
1655, pro. Nov. 29, 1655, gives a neck handkerchief to “sis-
ter Avery” and appointed “Thomas Avery” an overseer of
her will. Nov. 1655. Files, Vol. HI. 37.

Alexander Knight named as being of Ipswich. Mar. 26,
*1636. Files, Vol. HI. 41.

RELATING TO, TOPSFIELD.

The case Kimball vs Smith (Ipswich) relating to damage
done by cattle. Robert Andrews and his wife Mary testi-
fied. John Newman also testified. March 25, 1656.

Files, Vol. III. 43-

Isaac Cummings senr. and Ed. Bridges were witnesses
against Wm. Duglas of Ipswich who was presented “for
taking of iplb of Shorborne Wilson his late servant, for 9 mo.
time, which we think tends to opression.” March 1656.

Files, Vol. III. 45.

Zacheos Gould of Rowley [Topsfield] was presented at
Court “for not frequenting the publike ordinances vpon the
saboth dayes.” March 1656. Files, Vol. III. 45.

Sary Barnes “now the wife of Francis Usselton of Wen-
ham” was presented at Court “for speaking reproachfully
against minister & people at Wells, saying that Mr. Syth
Flecher ther sayd minister, vpon the Saboth daye in time of
the publike ordinance when he had sett the psalme, that
while the people ware a singing he the sayd mr flecher did
take tobackcoo in the publike meeting-house & while he the
sayd mr flecher was a preaching the people would take to-
backcoo in the publike meeting-house.” The witnesses were
the wife of George Bunker, the wife of John Redington &
the wife of Abra. Redington. March 1656.

Files, Vol. III. 45.

Edward Bridges and John Andros were witnesses at the
presentment of John Forgison of Ipswich for lying. 30 Sept.
1656. Files, Vol. III. 55.

Edward Bridges of Andover was presented for lying.
Gov. Bradstreet was one of the witnesses. 30 Sept. 1656.

. Files, Vol. III. 55.

Evan Morris of Topsfield was presented at Court “for Re-
viling in reproachfull language the ordinance of God and
such as are in Church fellowship saying when some was to-
gether keeping a day of Humilliation that they were Howl-
ing like wolues and lifting up there paws for there Children
saying the gallows were built for members and members

SALEM COURT RECORDS

Children and if there had beene noe members of Churches
there would haue beene noe need of gallows.” The witness-
es were James Howe jr., John How, John pearley and Mary
How. 30 Sept. 1656. Files, Vol. III. 55.

William Browne of Gloucester was complained of in Ips-
wich Court 2 April 1657 for “speaking disgracefully against
Mr. Blinman and Mr. Perkins and Mr. Millet, saying Mr.
Blinman was naught and Perkins was starke naught and Mil-
let was worse then Perkins.” Files, Vol. III. 108.

John Perley of Topsfield was presented at Court for lying
about a horse. April session, 1657.

George Abbott aged about 40 years testified that Oct. 3,
1656 John Perley & John How came to Andover, Perley rid-
ing upon a colt and How upon a mare, both horses were
tired, Perley said he had bought his colt recently and it was
not yet broke in, “but hoped he should doe it this voyage.”
By other testimony it was proved that the colt belonged to
Anthony Potter of Ipswich. Files, Vol. III. 114.

The assignees of Zerobabell Phillips of Ipswich brought
suit against Isaac Commins, senr., for debt, amt. £^.2.6 said
debt to be paid in wheat and barley. Tried in Court, Mar.
1657. Thomas Averill made deposition. William Smith
was a bondsman for Zarobabell Phillips. John Cummins
son of Isaac Commins made deposition.

Files, Vnl. III. 76-77.

Isaac Cummings, senr., brought suit against John Fuller
for damage done in his corn by swine belonging to said Ful-
ler. Fuller was fined ^i.io & costs. Isaac Cummings jur.
testified, Isaac Cummings senr., “his girle” named as driving
swine away from an opening in the fence. Said Cummings
field of Indian come was located near the cornfield of Ed-
ward Bragg who bought his land of William Story. Said
land was next the common. 31 Dec. 1656.

Files. Vol. III. 78.

In case of John Choate Ipswich, presented for lying. Sam-
uel Mighell made deposition April 9, 1657, as to what Choate
said. John Androus then master of John Choate named.

RELATING TO TOPSFIELD.

also goodwife Androus and Thomas Androus. Maids Han-
na Day and Hanna Porter also named. P'iles, Vol. HI. 1 15.

Thomas Dexter, Lynn, brought suit to recover Nahant and
John Ramsdell made deposition “aged fifty five yeares or
there abouts saith that aboute five and twenty yeares since
being a seruant vnto Capt. Torner” etc., etc. 30, 4 mo.
1657. Files, Vol. HI. 118.

Edmund Bridges jr., of Ipswich presented for fornication.
29, 7 mo. 1657. Files, Vol. III. 137.

Edword Brogis (Bridges) of Ipswich was concerned in a
debt where action was taken in Court. His father is men-
tioned in a manner showing that “Edword” was probably a
minor. 9th, 2nd month 1657. Files, Vol. HI. 137-

John Younglove of Ipswich made deposition that “enquir-
ing of Hachiliah Bridges one night this weeke concerning a
paire of gloues w*’^ blacke fringes, w'^'^ Nehemiah Jewet tak-
ing from Edmun Bridges did lay claime vnto. In his broth-
er Josiah Hubbards name said that he had them of John
Smith of Rowly & gaue two shillings for them.” 9 April
1657. Files, Vol. HI. 138.

Simon Stacey, Ipswich, made deposition, “that meating
with edman Bredges on the lekter day he asked me if that i
hade not heard of y® story abought y® towne of hime abought
thos two wenches i toulde him not, he tould me y^ he mow-
ing with Samuell Youngloue tould him that he had [f d]

Mary Browne, and the simple foole went and tould Thomas
Fowler. (Confest in court by Edmond Bridges.)” 9 April
1657. Files, Vol. HI. 138.

Shoreborne Willson made deposition “that being at Rowly
lecture in January or february last he saw Ed : Bridges in the
sermon tyme gett a peace of paper of Daniell Warner jr. &
wrote in it and over his shoulder red these words (goodman
Tode I would in treate you) and after Lecture saw him de-
liver the same paper to Goodman Tod and sayd his ffather
sent it & then Goodman Tod asked Ed : Bridges if he might
trust him y*^ it was from his ffather, he answered yes it was &

152

SALEM COURT RECORDS.

being afterward at his ffathers shop this deponent tould his
ffather of it & he denyed it, & some ten dayes after comeing
vnto the shope agayne his ffather was chydeing of him
amongst other things for his writing of that note without his
consent & Ed : Bridges did threaten to sue this deponent &
did fetch a warrant & served it for slandering of him soe this
deponent was forced to goe to Goodman Tod to fetch the
sayd note & when he saw it knew it to be the same paper
that he had of Daniell Warner in the meeting house of Row-
ley and after he the s*^ Ed : Bridges heard this deponent had
the note he came & agreed with me this deponent & let his
sute fall.” 9 Aprill 1657. Files, Vol. III. 138.

Thomas Varnham aged 25 made deposition “that he heard
Edward Bridges was gone from his master to Ipswich with-
out his masters consent and this deponent meeting the said Ed-
ward coming home asked him how he would answer his goinge
without his masters leaue and the said Edward replyed, he
should doe well enough for he had a letter from his father
to his master and he pulled out a letter and shewed it me
and it was sealed and directed to Mr. Bradstreete. 2 April
1657. Files, Vol. III. 139.

Samuell Lumas made deposition that “he saw Edmun
Bridges borrow a piece of paper of Daniel Warner, jun.. In
lecture time at Rowly, but where in he wrote to Goodman
Todde to deliver him 5 shillings in his fathers name.” 9 Apr.
1657. Files, Vol. III. 139.

John How made deposition regarding Hackaliah Bridges
who was presented at Court for fornication. He speaks of
going over the new bridge, and of going with Bridges as far
as William Avery’s when they parted -and How went to his
uncle Danes. 29th 7th month 1657. Files, Vol. III. 140.

Thomas Hobes, Richard Hutten & Charles Gott witnessed
the will of Humphrey Gilbert dated 14, 12th month 1657.
Prob. 30 Mar. 1658. Files, Vol. IV. 19

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